Bill O'Reilly's Pope Meeting Couldn't Save Job at FOX News

Bill O'Reilly had what turned out to be an 11th hour meeting with Pope Francis -- but even shaking hands with His Holiness wasn't enough to spare his gig at FOX News.

Bill was in St. Peter's Square Wednesday morning -- he'd been on vacation -- when he got an audience with the Pontiff. Just a quick meet and greet really ... handshake, exchange of salutations.

But put yourself in Bill's shoes at the time -- wouldn't ya have to ask for a prayer or two?

As we reported ... FOX News announced O'Reilly would not return to the network after about 70 advertisers pulled out amid allegations of sexual harassment against him.