by Mark Silva
After a stirring and soaring soprano rendition of The Lord’s Prayer by Kathleen Battle, President Bush welcomed Pope Benedict XVI on the sunny South Lawn of the White House this morning.
“Here in America, you’ll find a nation that welcomes the role of faith in the public square,’’ the president told the pontiff. “We believe in religious liberty. We also believe in a love for freedom… and that these constitute the foundation on which any free society must be built.
“In our nation, faith and reason coexist in harmony,’’ Bush said. “This is one of our nation’s greatest strengths… You will find an America of people whose hearts are open to your message of hope.
“We need your message that each human life is sacred… that each of us is loved, and each of us is necessary,’’ said Bush, with an allusion to one of the political issues on which the two agree – both staunch opponents of abortion, though they part ways on the execution of the death penalty for capital crimes.
“Americans believe that the measure of a free society is how we treat the weakest and most vulnerable among us,’’ Bush said. “Each day across the world the United States is working to alleviate diseaser, eradicate poverty.’’
Pope Bendict said: “I trust my presence will be a source of renewal and hope.’’
He will be meeting with not only the Catholic community, but also representatives of other communities, he said. “Americans find strength in a commitment of shared ideals.’’
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Comments
President Bush welcomed Pope Benedict XVI on the sunny South Lawn of the White House
Faith, world dominance or global hegemony. Call it what you want. George Monbiot, a political activist from the United Kingdom, observes:
"...to pretend that this battle begins and ends in Iraq requires a willful
denial of the context in which it occurs. That context is a blunt attempt by
the superpower to reshape the world to suit itself."
Posted by: Bush Family Value$ | April 16, 2008 11:24 AM
That the Pope, as head of all Catholics, worldwide and a practicer of Christianity, did not raise the issue of the Occupation of Iraq, was unfortunate. That he allow a political leader to use him to further that inhuman doctrine, now being employed in Iraq, is unfortunate. One can only surmise that the Pope and the catholic community are in lock-step with this administration's deplorable policies in Iraq. That is really unfortunate. I hope I am wrong about this community, but so far I have heard very little criticism and that is deplorable, for a Christian sect that shouts about abortion, but not about the blood-letting in Iraq!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 16, 2008 1:00 PM
Don- While I agree that it is quite iunfortunate that the Pope has not directly addressed Iraq on this trip, it is not fair to say that he is in lockstep with Bush on this issue or that he has not criticized it. Just last month, in his Palm Sunday Mass, he strongly condemned the war in Iraq.
"Enough of the killings, enough of violence, enough of hatred in Iraq! At the same time, I raise an appeal to the Iraqi people, who have borne for five years the consequences of a war which has provoked such disorder in their civic and social life: Beloved Iraqis, lift up your heads and be yourselves the primary rebuilders of your national life!
May reconciliation, forgiveness, justice and respect of civil coexistence among tribes, races, and religious groups be the fraternal and common way to peace in the name of God. And now, dear brothers and sisters, I renew my cordial greetings to all of you."
Posted by: Luke | April 16, 2008 2:06 PM
While it may be easier to criticize when you are not in someone's purview, particularly, if he is the subject of that criticism. It sure would have shown the world the depth of his commitment against the Occupation, and the ongoing slaughter, if he had voiced a syllable against it , while he was in the lion's den!! Politics rules!! Unfortunately, he is supposed to be a religious leader!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 16, 2008 3:41 PM
I'm not sure who's less relevant, shrub the Iraqi occupier and Innocent Iraqi Citizen killer, or the head of the protectorate of pedophiles.
Posted by: rncbs | April 16, 2008 6:45 PM