Romney and Obama have lunch together at White House

Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and President Obama shared an hour-long lunch at the White House Thursday, news sources report.

Romney wished the president well on the next four years and congratulated Obama on a successful campaign, the White House said, as the Washington Post reported.

The two also pledged to explore future opportunities to work together, the Washington Post reported.

An appeal Wednesday from Fox News correspondent Ed Henry asking for the lunch to be open to the media for photos and video was declined by White House Press secretary Jay Carney, USA Today reported.

Each man wanted to have a private conversation," Carney said. "They did not want to turn it into a press event," he said, as USA Today reported.

There are no plans to offer Romney a position in the administration, Carney said, as the Washington Post reported.

Before going to the White House, Romney met Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), his former vice presidential running mate, on Capitol Hill, USA Today reported.

"I remain grateful to Governor Romney for the honor of joining his ticket this fall," Ryan said in a statement. "I'm proud of the principles and ideas we advanced during the campaign and the commitment we share to expanding opportunity and promoting economic security for American families," he said, as USA Today reported.