Ambassador Glendon: "Meeting between Pope and President a proud day for Americans"

U.S. ambassador to the Vatican Mary Ann Glendon calls the meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush was a proud day for Americans:

It was wonderful to have this great world religious leader express his appreciation for so many things we take for granted," Mary Ann Glendon told Catholic News Service April 16.

"From the inside, we Americans read the Pew polls and see the glass half-empty," she said.

But the pope, in his speech to the president, reminded people that "we have many different religions that coexist in harmony and flourish in this kind of political arrangement," she said.

That kind of affirmation was special, she said. So was the fact that the pope and the president both seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the occasion.

Glendon noted that the speeches of the two leaders overlapped on several key issues, especially where Bush echoed some of the pope's main themes -- on the need for love, hope and respect for life.

"The president, I think, was particularly eloquent today. I think it was one of the best talks he's ever given," she said.

Ambassador Glendon was also interviewed by the National Review today:

Lopez: Is Benedict’s vision of human rights different than the one that, say, Amnesty International or the U.N.’s human-rights embody?

Glendon: The pope has spelled out his vision of human rights pretty clearly: They will be precarious unless they can be grounded in acceptance of universal moral principles that are inscribed in human nature. Not every desire or agenda item of this or that interest group is a human right. If a right is fundamental, it is not an item on a menu from which one can pick and choose. Human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent, but there can be different ways of bringing them to life — a “legitimate pluralism in forms of freedom.”

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.

Benedict's Address at the White House Welcome Ceremony

Text of the address given by Pope Benedict XVI on the South Lawn of the White House, April 19th, 2008

Mr. President,

Thank you for your gracious words of welcome on behalf of the people of the United States of America. I deeply appreciate your invitation to visit this great country. My visit coincides with an important moment in the life of the Catholic community in America: the celebration of the two-hundredth anniversary of the elevation of the country's first Diocese – Baltimore – to a metropolitan Archdiocese, and the establishment of the Sees of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Louisville. Yet I am happy to be here as a guest of all Americans. I come as a friend, a preacher of the Gospel and one with great respect for this vast pluralistic society. America's Catholics have made, and continue to make, an excellent contribution to the life of their country. 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.

From the dawn of the Republic, America's quest for freedom has been guided by the conviction that the principles governing political and social life are intimately linked to a moral order based on the dominion of God the Creator. The framers of this nation's founding documents drew upon this conviction when they proclaimed the "self-evident truth" that all men are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights grounded in the laws of nature and of nature's God. The course of American history demonstrates the difficulties, the struggles, and the great intellectual and moral resolve which were demanded to shape a society which faithfully embodied these noble principles. In that process, which forged the soul of the nation, religious beliefs were a constant inspiration and driving force, as for example in the struggle against slavery and in the civil rights movement. In our time too, particularly in moments of crisis, Americans continue to find their strength in a commitment to this patrimony of shared ideals and aspirations.

In the next few days, I look forward to meeting not only with America's Catholic community, but with other Christian communities and representatives of the many religious traditions present in this country. Historically, not only Catholics, but all believers have found here the freedom to worship God in accordance with the dictates of their conscience, while at the same time being accepted as part of a commonwealth in which each individual and group can make its voice heard. As the nation faces the increasingly complex political and ethical issues of our time, I am confident that the American people will find in their religious beliefs a precious source of insight and an inspiration to pursue reasoned, responsible and respectful dialogue in the effort to build a more humane and free society.

Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility. Americans know this from experience – almost every town in this country has its monuments honoring those who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom, both at home and abroad. The preservation of freedom calls for the cultivation of virtue, self-discipline, sacrifice for the common good and a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate. It also demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one's deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate. In a word, freedom is ever new. It is a challenge held out to each generation, and it must constantly be won over for the cause of good (cf. Spe Salvi, 24). Few have understood this as clearly as the late Pope John Paul II. In reflecting on the spiritual victory of freedom over totalitarianism in his native Poland and in eastern Europe, he reminded us that history shows, time and again, that "in a world without truth, freedom loses its foundation", and a democracy without values can lose its very soul (cf. Centesimus Annus, 46). Those prophetic words in some sense echo the conviction of President Washington, expressed in his Farewell Address, that religion and morality represent "indispensable supports" of political prosperity.

The Church, for her part, wishes to contribute to building a world ever more worthy of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26-27). She is convinced that faith sheds new light on all things, and that the Gospel reveals the noble vocation and sublime destiny of every man and woman (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 10). Faith also gives us the strength to respond to our high calling, and the hope that inspires us to work for an ever more just and fraternal society. Democracy can only flourish, as your founding fathers realized, when political leaders and those whom they represent are guided by truth and bring the wisdom born of firm moral principle to decisions affecting the life and future of the nation.

For well over a century, the United States of America has played an important role in the international community. On Friday, God willing, I will have the honor of addressing the United Nations Organization, where I hope to encourage the efforts under way to make that institution an ever more effective voice for the legitimate aspirations of all the world's peoples. On this, the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the need for global solidarity is as urgent as ever, if all people are to live in a way worthy of their dignity – as brothers and sisters dwelling in the same house and around that table which God's bounty has set for all his children. America has traditionally shown herself generous in meeting immediate human needs, fostering development and offering relief to the victims of natural catastrophes. I am confident that this concern for the greater human family will continue to find expression in support for the patient efforts of international diplomacy to resolve conflicts and promote progress. In this way, coming generations will be able to live in a world where truth, freedom and justice can flourish – a world where the God-given dignity and rights of every man, woman and child are cherished, protected and effectively advanced.

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. God bless America!