Pope visits States
McClatchy Newspapers/MCT
Lisa Zagaroli and Barbara Barrett
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: News
Pope Benedict XVI tugged at Americans' heartstrings last Wednesday by marveling over their commitment to freedom and their compassion for the less fortunate as he kicked off his first papal trip to the United States with an elaborate White House ceremony. Some admirers needed only a glimpse to be touched by the world's top Catholic as he rode by later Wednesday in his Popemobile. "Oh, my goodness, it was thrilling. It brought tears to my eyes," said Monica Bockelmann, 62, who's from Burke, VA. "I believe he's a very holy man."
In his public remarks on the South Lawn of the White House, Benedict referred to the Founding Fathers and said their religious beliefs had helped "forge the soul of the nation." "Freedom is ever new," he said. "It is a challenge held out to each generation, and it must constantly be won over for the cause of good."
Greeted with music by the Marine Band, a moving version of the Lord's Prayer by soprano Kathleen Battle, the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and two renditions of "Happy Birthday," Benedict drew a crowd estimated at 13,500 to hear the first public words he's made on U.S. soil since he became pontiff three years ago.
After their public remarks, Bush and Benedict retreated to the presidential residence, where the pope was presented with a multi-tiered cake for his 81st birthday. The pair met privately in the Oval Office and talked about a number of other topics they agree on, among them the struggle against poverty and pandemics in Africa, the White House said. A joint statement by the Vatican and the White House said they devoted "considerable time" to the Middle East, the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Lebanon "and their common concern for the situation in Iraq and particularly the precarious state of Christian communities there and elsewhere in the region."
In his public remarks on the South Lawn of the White House, Benedict referred to the Founding Fathers and said their religious beliefs had helped "forge the soul of the nation." "Freedom is ever new," he said. "It is a challenge held out to each generation, and it must constantly be won over for the cause of good."
Greeted with music by the Marine Band, a moving version of the Lord's Prayer by soprano Kathleen Battle, the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and two renditions of "Happy Birthday," Benedict drew a crowd estimated at 13,500 to hear the first public words he's made on U.S. soil since he became pontiff three years ago.
After their public remarks, Bush and Benedict retreated to the presidential residence, where the pope was presented with a multi-tiered cake for his 81st birthday. The pair met privately in the Oval Office and talked about a number of other topics they agree on, among them the struggle against poverty and pandemics in Africa, the White House said. A joint statement by the Vatican and the White House said they devoted "considerable time" to the Middle East, the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Lebanon "and their common concern for the situation in Iraq and particularly the precarious state of Christian communities there and elsewhere in the region."
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