NBC News was the only broadcast news network to provide a network special report of President Obama’s first meeting with Pope Francis this morning.
Matt Lauer broke in at 5:13amET as the president arrived at the Vatican, with correspondent Anne Thompson alongside him in New York and White House Correspondent Peter Alexander reporting from Vatican City.
Many local stations in the eastern and central time zones carried the live pictures as the president and pope shook hands and sat down for what would be a :50 minute meeting.
“Good Morning America” and “CBS This Morning each led with the historic meeting. Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl reported from Vatican City for ABC, while Chief White House Correspondent Major Garrett reported live from Vatican City for CBS.