The White House Welcoming Ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI

What's Happening Today: Wednesday, April 16
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Meeting with the President at the White House
NOTE: This post will be updated as more information becomes available on this topic.

President George Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush welcome Pope Benedict XVI to the White House. The welcome will be on the South Lawn of the White House before approximately 5,000 people. This is only the second time in history that a pontiff has visited the White House.

The White House Welcoming Ceremony: Sequence of Events:

South Lawn Arrival Ceremony for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

April 16, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. EDT

• His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI arrives on the South Lawn and is greeted by the President and Mrs. Bush.
• The President introduces His Holiness to U.S. Delegation members including the Vice President, Mrs. Lynne Cheney, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.
• The Marine Band performs the National Anthem of the Holy See. There will be a simultaneous 21-gun salute followed by the playing of the National Anthem of the United States of America.
• Kathleen Battle performs “The Lord’s Prayer.”
• The President delivers remarks.
• His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI delivers remarks.
• U.S. Army Chorus performs “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

The President Meets with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

Oval Office, The White House

April 16, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. EDT

• Following the ceremony, the President and His Holiness walk along the Rose Garden Colonnade to the Oval Office.
• The President and His Holiness participate in a Meeting in the Oval Office.
• At 12:05 p.m., His Holiness departs the South Lawn aboard the Popemobile and heads west on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Coverage

President Bush welcomes Pope Benedict at White House Catholic News Agency April 16, 2008:

Washington DC, Apr 16, 2008 / 10:21 am (CNA).- This morning Pope Benedict was officially welcomed to the United States by President Bush and 12,000 other guests at the White House. During the reception, the Pontiff described the goal of his visit to bring hope to American Catholics and strengthen them to increasingly contribute to the life of the United States.

In his opening remarks, President Bush highlighted the religious roots of the United States and the values of defending life and religious freedom. He also told the Pope that the U.S. needs his message and encouragement in fostering these values.

The Holy Father responded by expressing his pleasure to be present in the United States as a guest and indicated his, “great respect for this pluralistic society.” Pope Benedict also stated his goal for the visit, “As I begin my visit, I trust that my presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the Church in the United States, and strengthen the resolve of Catholics to contribute ever more responsibly to the life of this nation, of which they are proud to be citizens.”

In his remarks, the Holy Father also indicated his expectations of meeting with not only the American Catholic community, but with other Christian communities and representatives of the many religious traditions present in this country.

The Pope then continued to elaborate on the importance of freedom in the history of the United States. “Freedom is not only a gift, but a summons to personal responsibility.” He continued to illustrate the actions necessary to protect freedom and quoted from Spe Salvi, 24…” In a word, freedom is ever new. It is a challenge held out for each generation and it must constantly be won over for the cause of good.”

Pope Benedict concluded his address with “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. God bless America!”

Following the address, Pope Benedict was treated to a rendition of “Happy Birthday”, after which he and President Bush met privately.

Pope, Bush discuss fighting terrorism while respecting human rights, by John Thavis (Catholic News Agency):

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In a meeting at the White House, Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush discussed the problem of terrorism and how to confront it while respecting human rights.

The two leaders also expressed their joint concern for the protection of human life, marriage and the family, according to a statement issued after a private meeting April 16.

"The two reaffirmed their total rejection of terrorism as well as the manipulation of religion to justify immoral and violent acts against innocents," the statement said.

"They further touched on the need to confront terrorism with appropriate means that respect the human person and his or her rights," it said.

Following the meeting the White House and the Vatican issued a joint statement:

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush met today in the Oval Office of the White House.

President Bush, on behalf of all Americans, welcomed the Holy Father, wished him a happy birthday, and thanked him for the spiritual and moral guidance, which he offers to the whole human family. The President wished the Pope every success in his Apostolic Journey and in his address at the United Nations, and expressed appreciation for the Pope's upcoming visit to "Ground Zero" in New York.

During their meeting, the Holy Father and the President discussed a number of topics of common interest to the Holy See and the United States of America, including moral and religious considerations to which both parties are committed: the respect of the dignity of the human person; the defense and promotion of life, matrimony and the family; the education of future generations; human rights and religious freedom; sustainable development and the struggle against poverty and pandemics, especially in Africa. In regard to the latter, the Holy Father welcomed the United States' substantial financial contributions in this area. The two reaffirmed their total rejection of terrorism as well as the manipulation of religion to justify immoral and violent acts against innocents. They further touched on the need to confront terrorism with appropriate means that respect the human person and his or her rights.

The Holy Father and the President devoted considerable time in their discussions to the Middle East, in particular resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict in line with the vision of two states living side-by-side in peace and security, their mutual support for the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon, and their common concern for the situation in Iraq and particularly the precarious state of Christian communities there and elsewhere in the region. The Holy Father and the President expressed hope for an end to violence and for a prompt and comprehensive solution to the crises which afflict the region.

The Holy Father and the President also considered the situation in Latin America with reference, among other matters, to immigrants, and the need for a coordinated policy regarding immigration, especially their humane treatment and the well being of their families.

• FULL TEXT of President George W. Bush's welcome to Pope Benedict XVI.

• FULL TEXT of Pope Benedict XVI's White House Address (Reuters)

• The Cranky Conservative has some pics of the Pope and the President from the South Lawn Welcoming Ceremony.

The White House Welcoming Ceremony - Sequence of Events

The White House has published its Event Backgrounder, for the Visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the White House:

On April 15, 2008, the President and Mrs. Bush will participate in an Arrival Ceremony for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

On April 16, 2008, the President and Mrs. Bush will welcome His Holiness to The White House in an Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn followed by a meeting between the President and His Holiness in the Oval Office. Later that evening, the President and Mrs. Bush will host a dinner for Catholic leaders and friends in Honor of the Visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in the East Room of The White House.

The memo contains a detailed "Sequence of Events" of Benedict's arrival on the South Lawn at 10:30am, April 16:

• His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI arrives on the South Lawn and is greeted by the President and Mrs. Bush.
• The President introduces His Holiness to U.S. Delegation members including the Vice President, Mrs. Lynne Cheney, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.
• The Marine Band performs the National Anthem of the Holy See. There will be a simultaneous 21-gun salute followed by the playing of the National Anthem of the United States of America.
• Kathleen Battle performs “The Lord’s Prayer.”
• The President delivers remarks.
• His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI delivers remarks.
• U.S. Army Chorus performs “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Following the ceremony Benedict will meet with President Bush for 45 minutes, before departing West down Pennsylvania Avenue in his PopeMobile.

According to the memo there will be 9-12,000 visitors on the South Lawn, made up of Catholic clergy, ecumenical representatives, local Catholic school children, and members of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Sisters of the Poor and the Knights of Columbus.

Pope to receive a Rose Garden Reception from President Bush

• The Bush administration is organizing a "unique'' Rose Garden ceremony as it finalizes plans for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI next week, reports Mark Silva of the Baltimore Sun:

  "There is great excitement throughout the staff regardless of one’s religious affiliation,” says White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joe Hagin. “This is a very special day.”

  Hagin, together with Anita Bride, the first lady's chief of staff, held a roundtable discussion with members of faith-based media to give an inside look at the White House preparations. “As a Catholic,'' McBride said, "this is an enormous honor for me and a privilege to work on some small aspect of this visit.''

  The staff has prepared a ceremony that reflects the usual details reserved for heads of state, together with “very appropriate and warm additions.” McBride notes that nearly 10,000 people will attend the ceremony surrounding the pope's arrival on the South Lawn on Wednesday.

  A number of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will be present during the ceremony, along with members of Catholic Charities and community volunteers. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps will don their Revolutionary regalia for a presentation during the ceremony and will honor the Holy Father with the 21 gun salute, a typical gesture for a visiting head of state.

• The Rhode Island Catholic reports that President and Mrs. Bush have invited two priests from the Diocese of Providence, Monsignor Paul Theroux and Father Bernard Healey, to be among those who will join the President for the arrival ceremony:

  “It is a tremendous honor to join the President of the United States in welcoming the Holy Father to the United States,” said Father Healey. “Pope Benedict XVI is only the second Pope to visit the White House, making this a truly historic event. The Holy Father’s visit presents a unique time in which Catholics throughout Rhode Island and the country may strengthen their faith in Christ and the Church.”

• USA Today reports that President Bush is throwing a dinner in honor of Pope Benedict XVI. There's just one wrinkle: It doesn't include the pope.

• Cardinal Martino has taken it upon himself to inform everybody that Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit to the White House to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush does not signal Vatican support of the Bush administration's foreign policies:

  The cardinal spoke to reporters April 11 during a break in an international conference on disarmament sponsored by the Vatican council.

  "The pope and the Holy See cannot renounce with one visit all the Holy See's positions of rejecting war, always encouraging dialogue to smooth over disagreements and fostering cooperation," he said.

  He said the argument that U.S.-led troops have to remain in Iraq in order to bring security and protect the Christian minority is open to question.

  "Obviously the main error was to start a war, a second war" after the Gulf War against Iraq in 1991, he said.

  But whether it is wise to keep troops in Iraq is "a very difficult judgment" to make because some analysts say "the daily slaughter that unfolds in Iraq" is rooted in the continued presence of foreign troops, said the Italian cardinal.

  I honestly don't know who is making that assumption at this point in time. Not even from the so-called "Catholic neoconservatives" like Fr. Neuhaus, George Weigel or Michael Novak -- who simply state that there is a lot more to the U.S. / Vatican relationship than the dispute over Iraq; like their mutual agreement on a broad range of life issues, where our President does see "eye to eye".

President Bush to greet Pope Benedict upon arrival at airport

Vatican: Bush to greet pope at airport in unusual gesture at start of papal US trip International Herald-Tribune March 17, 2008:

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI will be greeted by President Bush at Andrews Air Force Base next month at the start of the pontiff's weeklong U.S. trip, the Vatican said Monday.

The Vatican released the pope's itinerary for the April 15-20 visit, saying that Bush and first lady Laura Bush would give the pope a private welcome upon his arrival at the base.

There was no immediate confirmation from the White House.

Bush is scheduled to preside over a formal welcome ceremony on the White House South Lawn on the second day of the visit before hosting the pontiff in the Oval Office.

The president traditionally greets visitors at the White House. The most elaborate welcome has been a South Lawn ceremony with trumpet salutes, booming cannons and the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, dressed in 18th-century uniform, parading by the reviewing stand and invited guests.

The White House has said that during their meeting, the president and pope would continue discussions they began during Bush's trip to the Vatican in June on the importance of faith and reason in reaching shared goals.

Benedict to visit President Bush, White House during Papal Visit

Pope to Visit White House on First Papal Trip to U.S. Fox News. February 15, 2008:

WASHINGTON — Pope Benedict XVI will visit the White House April 16, meeting during his first trip to the United States since becoming the leader of the Catholic Church in 2005, administration officials said.

"The President and the Holy Father will continue discussions, which they began during the President's visit to the Vatican in June 2007, on their common commitment to the importance of faith and reason in reaching shared goals," according to a news release.

"These goals include advancing peace throughout the Middle East and other troubled regions, promoting inter-faith understanding, and strengthening human rights and freedom, especially religious liberty, around the world."

Both the president and first lady Laura Bush will receive the pope, the White House said.

Benedict will visit the United States April 15-20, traveling first to Washington, where he will also make a stop at the Catholic University of America. He will then travel to New York, stopping at the United Nations on April 18 to deliver an address the U.N. General Assembly. He also will visit Ground Zero and hold mass at Yankee Stadium.

The trip also falls on the three-year anniversary of Benedict's becoming pope, following the death of Pope John Paul II.