Over coffee, the two men discussed a variety of topics, including their wives, and love for and similar experiences with golf and Chicago

President Barack Obama visited evangelical Rev. Billy Graham at his North Carolina home Sunday before departing the state from a weekend vacation.

Graham, 91, has advised many presidents, starting with Harry Truman in 1950.

This was Obama’s first meeting with Graham.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton told a pool reporter that Obama had phoned Graham on his 91st birthday last November and renewed their conversation about a visit when the president decided on North Carolina as a vacation destination.

“Reverend Graham has obviously been an important spiritual leader for past presidents and for the American people for decades,” Burton said. “He’s a real treasure for our country. The president appreciates the opportunity to visit him at his home.”

Obama attempted to visit with Graham while on the campaign trail in 2008 but the timing did not work for Graham, according to the pool report.

The meeting comes several days after Graham’s son Franklin was disinvited to the Pentagon’s National Day of Prayer ceremony on May 6 because of comments he made in 2001 about Islam

(Editor’s Note: Details on the conversation were released in an email late Sunday afternoon fromy Bily Graham’s press secretary, Larry Ross)

Mr. Graham was honored that the President would travel to meet him for an historic first-ever visit by a sitting president in his home, which reflected a cordial, gracious conversation together, along with the evangelist’s son, Franklin.

Over coffee, the two men discussed a variety of topics, including their wives, and love for and similar experiences with golf and Chicago — where the president started his career, and Mr. Graham attended school and has had several significant crusades.

Like others before him, President Obama shared how lonely, demanding and humbling the office of President can be, and how much he appreciated the counsel of people like Mr. Graham and the prayers of so many citizens.

Mr. Graham presented the President with two (New King James Version) Bibles — one for him, and other for the First Lady — after which the President prayed for Mr. Graham, who, in turn, concluded with a prayer for the President, his family and his administration.

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