16
Apr

Pope Wows Washington!

Posted by: Mike's America @ 2:51 pm in Uncategorized  | 6 views

The second visit in history of a Pope to the White House! And what a perfect, crystal clear spring day!

I’m not a Catholic, but I have tremendous respect for the role the modern Papacy has played in making the world a better, more peaceful place for all. Here’s a photo sampling of this beautiful and historic day….

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush stand with Pope Benedict XVI as he acknowledges the cheers from the crowd from the South Portico balcony Wednesday, April 16, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House. White House photo by Grant Miller

President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI stand together during the playing of the National Anthem at the Pope’s welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House Wednesday, April 16, 2008. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush applaud as Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges being sung happy birthday by the thousands of guests Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at his welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper

President Bush Welcomes His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to White House
South Lawn
White House Transcript
April 16, 2008

PRESIDENT BUSH:…Here in America you’ll find a nation of compassion. Americans believe that the measure of a free society is how we treat the weakest and most vulnerable among us. So each day citizens across America answer the universal call to feed the hungry and comfort the sick and care for the infirm. Each day across the world the United States is working to eradicate disease, alleviate poverty, promote peace and bring the light of hope to places still mired in the darkness of tyranny and despair.

Here in America you’ll find a nation that welcomes the role of faith in the public square. When our Founders declared our nation’s independence, they rested their case on an appeal to the “laws of nature, and of nature’s God.” We believe in religious liberty. We also believe that a love for freedom and a common moral law are written into every human heart, and that these constitute the firm foundation on which any successful free society must be built.

Here in America, you’ll find a nation that is fully modern, yet guided by ancient and eternal truths. The United States is the most innovative, creative and dynamic country on earth — it is also among the most religious. In our nation, faith and reason coexist in harmony. This is one of our country’s greatest strengths, and one of the reasons that our land remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for millions across the world.

Most of all, Holy Father, you will find in America people whose hearts are open to your message of hope. And America and the world need this message. In a world where some invoke the name of God to justify acts of terror and murder and hate, we need your message that “God is love.” And embracing this love is the surest way to save men from “falling prey to the teaching of fanaticism and terrorism.”

In a world where some treat life as something to be debased and discarded, we need your message that all human life is sacred, and that “each of us is willed, each of us is loved” — (applause) — and your message that “each of us is willed, each of us is loved, and each of us is necessary.”

In a world where some no longer believe that we can distinguish between simple right and wrong, we need your message to reject this “dictatorship of relativism,” and embrace a culture of justice and truth. (Applause.)

In a world where some see freedom as simply the right to do as they wish, we need your message that true liberty requires us to live our freedom not just for ourselves, but “in a spirit of mutual support.”

Holy Father, thank you for making this journey to America. Our nation welcomes you. We appreciate the example you set for the world, and we ask that you always keep us in your prayers. (Applause.)

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush lead the celebration of the 81st birthday of Pope Benedict XVI as he’s presented a cake by White House Pastry Chef Bill Yosses Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper

Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges guests Wednesday, April 16, 2008, during the arrival ceremony for the Pope on the South Lawn of the White House. Said Pope Benedict XVI during the ceremony, “Mr. President, dear friends, as I begin my visit to the United States, I express once more my gratitude for your invitation, my joy to be in your midst, and my fervent prayers that Almighty God will confirm this nation and its people in the ways of justice, prosperity and peace.” White House photo by David Bohrer

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 2:51 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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12 comments so far

john ryan
 1Reply to this comment  

The Pope will make a point when he refuses to break bread with Bush

April 16th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
MataHarley
 2Reply to this comment  

You read whether a meal is scheduled in the papal visit as a judgment call by the Pope?? Pathetic. It’s a particularly nasty snipe you make, John Ryan. You must be a real joy to be around.

April 16th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Dreadnought
 3Reply to this comment  

Please explain your statement, John. You don’t just toss a grenade in the room and walk away.

April 16th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Curt
 4Reply to this comment  

Thats all he is and ever will be. He comes into a thread, snipes at it with an ignorant comment and like the coward he is crawls back under his rock never to be seen on the same thread again.

April 16th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
MataHarley
 5Reply to this comment  

The comment is indeed ignorant. And inaccurate. From the USA Today story:

NEW YORK — Pope Benedict XVI will visit Washington and New York April 15-20, with a schedule that includes plans for a Mass at the new Nationals Park, dinner at the White House, a speech at the United Nations, a visit to Ground Zero and Mass at Yankee Stadium.

However one can’t expect either factual knowledge – nay, even taste or tact – from a likely card carrying member of the party of “tolerance”….

April 16th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Mike's America
 6Reply to this comment  

So the Pope didn’t break “bread.” So what? Looks like he had one hell of a cake!

How anybody would construe the Pope’s declining a dinner invitation as a snub after the mornings stupdendous events is beyond me.

April 16th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
MataHarley
 7Reply to this comment  

The Pope has *not*, to any media reports, declined the WH dinner on the schedule, Mike. What I find particularly offensive is that John Ryan alludes to a belief that the Pope passes judgment on GWB, and would reflect his disapproval via not “breaking bread”.

I could be wrong, but my guess is the Pope views all men… bad guys included… as God’s creatures equally, And sinners all. So the “judgment” bit wouldn’t be part of his make up.

April 16th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
wesmorgan1
 8Reply to this comment  

I could be wrong, but my guess is the Pope views all men… bad guys included… as God’s creatures equally, And sinners all. So the “judgment” bit wouldn’t be part of his make up.

Honest question here…

How does the “all men are sinners” perspective accord with the notion of papal infallibility? Putting the two of those together would seem to give us something like, “All men are sinners, but THIS guy is perfect when he speaks on issues of the faith.” I must admit that this apparent conflict has puzzled me for some time in my (informal) studies of Catholicism.

April 16th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
MataHarley
 9Reply to this comment  

Pope’s are neither infallible, nor perfect, Wes. They are also sinners in the eyes of god, as they too are human and not without sin. They go to confessions themselves. They are considered the father of the Catholic Church family – not a demi-God. The disciple Peter was the first Pope. Tho a disciple, still a man… still a sinner.

Pope’s are, however, revered for their theological knowledge and training. And they are at the top of the theology heap. I think Shia Islam has their marja. Ayatollah’s are also high ranking clerics in Islam. Pope’s, like Islam clerics, do have to work their way up the seminary training food chain. But on the whole, I do not think Islam is structured so that there is only one man at the top of the pyramid, as Catholic Christians hole the position of Pope. I could be wrong.

This is all going back to some old doctrine for me. So I’m pulling somewhat from memory. Perhaps others can give better insight. But it’s a very good question. Many tend to place the Pope on a pedestal equal to God. Not the intent… merely the father figure of the religious family. The one you go to for guidance, the one honored as the head of the family.

April 16th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Scott
 10Reply to this comment  

Love how when you first look at this post, you see the snipers/spotters on the WH roof, THEN pan down to see the Pope and President. Comparison/contrast. It’s interesting to see two guys ready to kill above a guy who stands for peace, and another for security.

April 17th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Dreadnought
 11Reply to this comment  

Wes, Papal Infallibility is another way of saying he’s the boss. Just as there is no appeal higher than the US Supreme Court, as far as Catholic Doctrine goes, what the Pope says is final.

April 17th, 2008 at 4:26 am
wesmorgan1
 12Reply to this comment  

I was under the impression that, when the Pope spoke ex cathedra, that his voice as Vicar of Christ was unchallengeable. So, a Catholic might debate Benedict’s words delivered during this visit, but that same Catholic would/should not question the validity of a papal encyclical.

If that isn’t the case, thanks for clearing that up for me.

April 17th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

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