Pope Francis. (Wikimedia Commons)

This marks the second time Obama has visited the Vatican - the President visited once before when meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, who disagreed with many of the Obama administration's policies and perspectives.

Pope Francis' interests and priorities are widely seen as much more aligned with those of the Obama administration's as compared to Pope Benedict's. 

During October, Obama announced he was "hugely impressed" with Pope Francis' thoughts on abortion, contraception, homosexuality, and the church. 

In an interview last year with MSNBC, Obama called Pope Francis an "extraordinarily thoughtful and soulful messenger of peace and justice."

Pope Francis is known for his unconventional approach to world economic issues, his criticism of capitalist excess, and his dedication to relieving poverty and inequality - as outlined in his headline-grabbing papal manifesto.

Pope Francis has called on politicians to "attack the structural causes of inequality," and provide fundamental necessities like work, healthcare and education.

Acting on a similar agenda, Obama pledged to fight income inequality and grow the middle class during his second term in America, and continues the struggle to implement a fully functional national healthcare system.

Aligning the Obama administration's interests with the leader of the Roman Catholic Church will doubtlessly win favor among the Catholic political constituency, a vital demographic for the Democratic Party.