President and Mrs. Reagan Meet Pope John Paul II

In this photograph, taken June 7, 1982, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan meet with Pope John Paul II at the Papal Library in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, the official residence of the pope. This was the first time the president and pope had met. President Reagan and Pope John Paul II maintained a close relationship throughout the Reagan presidency, and expressed shared hopes for the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.