My fellow Americans, I am thrilled to be back
in the United States after our first historic foreign trip.
Over the course of 9 days, Melania and I traveled
to some of the holiest sites in the three Abrahamic
religions and met with nearly 100 foreign leaders.
Everywhere we went, my goal was to advance
American interests, to build a coalition
of nations to drive out the terrorists, and to unlock
a future of peace, prosperity, and hope
for all Americans -- and people around the world.
In Saudi Arabia, I was honored to participate
in a historic summit with the leaders of more than 50 Muslim
and Arab nations, where King Salman
and many other leaders expressed their desire to take on
a greater role in defeating terrorists who murder
innocents of all faiths.
At this unprecedented summit, we opened a new center
to combat extremist ideology, launched a task force
to block funding for terrorists, and agreed
to a massive economic development deal that will
create hundreds of thousands of new jobs
in the United States.
I also discussed the importance of the nations
of the region taking more responsibility
on migration -- so that more young people are part
of creating a better future in their home societies.
From Saudi Arabia, I traveled to Jerusalem,
where I reaffirmed the unbreakable bond
between the United States and Israel.
There, I prayed at the Western Wall, visited
the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and was awed
by the majesty of that sacred land and the perseverance
of the Jewish people.
I also traveled to Bethlehem, another ancient city of wonder,
where I met with Palestinian leader, President Abbas.
Both President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu
assured me they are ready to reach for peace.
From Israel, I traveled to Italy, where Melania
and I were greatly honored to visit the Vatican
and meet Pope Francis.
He was really wonderful -- a great guy.
Then, I traveled to two summits with our key allies --
first, the NATO Summit in Brussels,
where nations agreed they must do more to meet their
financial obligations and pay their fair share --
because right now, it is not fair to the United States.
But it soon will be.
Next, I attended the G-7 Summit in Italy,
where we worked to improve coordination on shared
security threats, achieve more fair trade that gives
workers a level playing field, and agreed
on the goal that refugees should be resettled as close
to their home countries as possible so they can be part
of the future rebuilding.
Before we returned home, I was delighted to conclude
my trip by visiting American military families --
unbelievable people, the true source of our strength.
We will always protect those who protect us.
Our first foreign trip was full of historic
and unprecedented achievements.
Joined by many old and new friends, we have paved
the way for the new era of cooperation --
one that calls upon each nation to take more responsibility
to bring peace to their people.
One that works together to defeat the scourge
of terrorism and deliver hope to all of God's children.
And one that protects American interests so we
remain a strong and prosperous nation --
strong and prosperous, like never before --
and a beacon of freedom and opportunity for many years
to come.
Thank you.
God bless you.
And God bless the United States of America.