Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
April 16, 2008

President Bush Welcomes Pope Benedict During Lavish White House Ceremony 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1BE8122:A6F02AD83191E160918C797CC6C8888FE55ED32ED25AB8F6& 
At least 9,000 guests, including Cabinet members, nuns and priests, cheered as the pope appeared on the south lawn of the White House 






Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd as President Bush applauds during a South Lawn arrival ceremony at the White House, 16 April 2008 

President Bush is hosting a lavish ceremony for Pope Benedict at the White House, along with thousands of well-wishers.

At least 9,000 guests, including Cabinet members, nuns and priests, cheered as the pope appeared on the south lawn of the White House Monday. 

The ceremony opened with musical performances of the U.S. and Vatican national anthems, and the "Lord's Prayer."

Guests spontaneously sang "Happy Birthday" in celebration of the pope's 81st birthday.

President Bush welcomed the Pope to the United States, which he said believes in religious liberty. Mr. Bush said in a time of terrorism and hate, Americans need the pope's message that God is love, and that all human life is sacred. 

He asked the pontiff to keep America in his prayers. 

The ceremony is rare for a visiting dignitary, and marks only the second visit to the White House by a pope.

After the ceremony, President Bush and the pope will hold formal talks in the Oval Office. 

Pope Benedict has said he plans to discuss immigration issues with Mr. Bush. The pope says the separation of families is the most serious aspect of the issue, calling it "dangerous for the social, moral and human fabric."

Later today, the pope is scheduled to address 300 U.S. bishops at the U.S. National Shrine, a Roman Catholic basilica in Washington. 

City authorities are expecting at least 8,000 people to gather outside the shrine, and thousands more to line the route of the pope's convoy.

The pontiff is to hold open-air Masses in Washington and New York during his six-day visit. He will address leaders of Catholic colleges, speak at the United Nations, and visit the site of the former World Trade Center, which was destroyed by a terrorist attack in 2001.

Pope Benedict also will face the challenge of addressing the sexual abuse of thousands of children by U.S. Roman Catholic priests across the country.

The church has paid $2 billion in compensation to the victims and removed hundreds of priests.

On the flight to the U.S., Pope Benedict told reporters he felt deep shame over the scandal. 

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.



.