KIM LAWTON: The pope arrived at Andrews Air Force Base Tuesday (April 15) and was greeted by George W. Bush — the first time this president has personally welcomed a world leader there. Experts say the gesture shows how significant this visit is on many fronts.
DAVID GIBSON (Author, “The Rule of Benedict”): Even though American Catholics are only six, seven percent of the entire Catholic global population, like America itself, the Catholic Church worldwide often follows its cues from America. So it’s a really important moment in the life of the church, not only in the United States but also globally.
LAWTON: Benedict came here in a dual role — as spiritual leader to the world’s 1.1 billion Roman Catholics and as head of state for the independent territory of Vatican City and the Catholic Church’s government called the Holy See.
During an elaborate White House ceremony Wednesday (April 17), the pope’s 81st birthday, Bush praised Benedict for urging America and the world to distinguish between right and wrong.
President GEORGE W. BUSH: We need your message to reject this dictatorship of relativism and embrace a culture of justice and truth.
Read it all.
Religion and Ethics Weekly: Pope Benedict's U.S. Visit
KIM LAWTON: The pope arrived at Andrews Air Force Base Tuesday (April 15) and was greeted by George W. Bush — the first time this president has personally welcomed a world leader there. Experts say the gesture shows how significant this visit is on many fronts.
DAVID GIBSON (Author, “The Rule of Benedict”): Even though American Catholics are only six, seven percent of the entire Catholic global population, like America itself, the Catholic Church worldwide often follows its cues from America. So it’s a really important moment in the life of the church, not only in the United States but also globally.
LAWTON: Benedict came here in a dual role — as spiritual leader to the world’s 1.1 billion Roman Catholics and as head of state for the independent territory of Vatican City and the Catholic Church’s government called the Holy See.
During an elaborate White House ceremony Wednesday (April 17), the pope’s 81st birthday, Bush praised Benedict for urging America and the world to distinguish between right and wrong.
President GEORGE W. BUSH: We need your message to reject this dictatorship of relativism and embrace a culture of justice and truth.
Read it all.