Dressed in traditional white cassock and skullcap, Pope Benedict XVI’s arrived to Washington on Tuesday afternoon, his first visit to the United States as pontiff since he ascended to the papacy. Pope Benedict was also the third pope traveled to US, while Pope Paul VI visited once in 1965; and John Paul II had made seven trips during his term. However, what has marked this trip most significant is that, it was only the second time of the world’s Roman Catholics' leader visiting the White House, long after Jimmy Carter was president in 1979. Only hours ago Pope Benedict had received a heartfelt welcome by President George Bush, who stands firm by the God, has made his own Christian faith a central tenet of his life as an American politician, and as president of the United States.
“I come as a friend, a preacher of the Gospel and one with great respect for this vast pluralistic society,” the Pope said, “Democracy can only flourish, as your founding fathers realized, when political leaders and those whom they represent are guided by truth.”
Yesterday afternoon the Pope celebrated his 81st birthday, with all American cardinals who had been invited to his birthday lunch at the Vatican Embassy in Washington. In the evening, the Pope presented a speech before the bishops of the United States at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. He praised that America is a land of great faith, while Americans are remarkable for their religious fervor and they take pride in belonging to a worshipping community. Americans have confidence in God, and they do not hesitate to bring moral arguments rooted in biblical faith into their public discourse. They respect for freedom of religion is deeply ingrained in the American consciousness, a fact which has contributed to this country’s attraction for generations of immigrants, seeking a home where they can worship freely in accordance with their beliefs.
