United States thumb|Portrait of Benedict XV by Antonio Fabrés (1916, Museo del Prado) Cardinal James Gibbons helped secure a meeting between the pope and President Woodrow Wilson which took place on 4 January 1919. The cardinal had sent a letter to the President imploring him to visit the pope after learning that Wilson was to go to Europe. Not long after, Wilson confirmed the visit and went to meet the pope accompanied by the Pontifical North American College rector Charles O'Hearn. Benedict XV took Wilson by the hand and led him into the study for their meeting, with the pope later presenting Wilson with a gift: a mosaic of Saint Peter. The interpreter had to be present for the meeting, since the pope was speaking in French, and Wilson only spoke English. The presidential party was presented to the pope, and after presenting his personal physician Admiral Grayson (telling the pope that he "is the man who keeps me well"), the pope said: "Apparently, he has done a splendid job", before offering words to Grayson. The pope blessed the entourage, despite Wilson's slight confusion, after the pope assured Wilson his blessing did not discriminate those of other faiths, since Wilson was a Presbyterian.
United States thumb|Portrait of Benedict XV by Antonio Fabrés (1916 Museo del Prado) Cardinal James Gibbons helped secure a meeting between the pope and President Woodrow Wilson which took place on 4 January 1919 The cardinal had sent a letter to the President imploring him to visit the pope after learning that Wilson was to go to Europe Not long after Wilson confirmed the visit and went to meet the pope accompanied by the Pontifical North American College rector Charles O'Hearn Benedict XV took Wilson by the hand and led him into the study for their meeting with the pope later presenting Wilson with a gift a mosaic of Saint Peter The interpreter had to be present for the meeting since the pope was speaking in French and Wilson only spoke English The presidential party was presented to the pope and after presenting his personal physician Admiral Grayson (telling the pope that he "is the man who keeps me well") the pope said "Apparently he has done a splendid job" before offering words to Grayson The pope blessed the entourage despite Wilson's slight confusion after the pope assured Wilson his blessing did not discriminate those of other faiths since Wilson was a Presbyterian