views were. the united states of america is the most critical part of this entire agenda. >> reporter: and in one of the most emotional moments since taking office, the president reflecting on his relationship with pope francis, america's second catholic president at the center of a raging debate back home over his support of abortion rights. conservative u.s. catholic bishops efforting a move to deny politicians like him communion. the president telling reporters that in his closed door meeting the pope told him he was a good catholic and should continue to receive the sacrament. what did it mean for you to hear pope francis in the wake of this in the middle of this debate call you a good catholic, and did what he tell you, should put this debate to rest? >> look i'm not going to -- a lot of this is just personal. always been this debate in the catholic church. >> when i lost my son beau, it had such a cathartic impact on my wife and our family. >> and cecilia vega joins us now live from rome.