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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
President GEORGE W. BUSH: We need your message to reject this dictatorship of relativism and embrace a culture of justice and truth.<\/p>\n