print-only banner
The White House Skip Main Navigation
  
 Home > News & Policies > Policies in Focus

Welcoming His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the White House
Welcoming His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the White House
Members of the clergy sing "Happy Birthday" to Pope Benedict XVI in celebration of the Pope's 81st birthday, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, during an arrival ceremony for the Holy Father on the South Lawn of the White House.
Members of the clergy sing "Happy Birthday" to Pope Benedict XVI in celebration of the Pope's 81st birthday, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, during an arrival ceremony for the Holy Father on the South Lawn of the White House.
President George W. Bush shakes hands with Pope Benedict XVI on his arrival to the White House Wednesday, April 16, 2008, for the welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn in honor of the Pope's visit to the United States. 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.
President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI meet in the Oval Office Wednesday, April 16, 2008, following the Pope's welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. President George W. Bush and Laura Bush wave goodbye to Pope Benedict XVI as he prepares to leave the White House Wednesday, April 16, 2008 in the Pope mobile, following his official welcome to the White House.
President George W. Bush shakes hands with Pope Benedict XVI following the Pope's remarks Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at the welcoming ceremony for the Pope on the South Lawn of the White House. 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.
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." President George W. Bush delivers remarks Wednesday, April 16, 2008, during the arrival ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI on the South Lawn of the White House. Said the President, "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."
President George W. Bush applauds Pope Benedict XVI, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, during an arrival ceremony for the Pope on the South Lawn. During his remarks the Pope encouraged the American people saying, "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 human and free society." Members of the clergy sing "Happy Birthday" to Pope Benedict XVI in celebration of the Pope's 81st birthday, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, during an arrival ceremony for the Holy Father on the South Lawn of the White House.
President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI look out onto the Rose Garden from the Colonnade of the White House before their meeting Wednesday, April 16, 2008. The visit of Pope Benedict XVI is the first White House papal visit in three decades.

backnext