Pope Receives in Audience U.S. President BushVATICAN CITY, 13 JUN 2008 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today published the following communique:
"This morning, Friday 13 June, George W. Bush, President of the United States of America was received in audience by His Holiness Benedict XVI.
"In order to respond to the cordiality of the welcome received by the Supreme Pontiff during his recent visit to the United States of America, the audience followed a special protocol. The Holy Father greeted President Bush - who was accompanied by his wife Laura and by Mary Ann Glendon, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See - at the entrance to the Tower of St. John located in the Vatican Gardens. His Holiness and the President of the United States then went to the study on the upper floor of the tower for a private meeting, while Laura Bush and Ambassador Glendon remained with Archbishop James Michael Harvey, prefect of the Pontifical Household. Subsequently they were joined by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B.
"During the cordial talks, the Holy Father firstly reiterated his gratitude for the warm and exceptional welcome he had received in the United States of America and at the White House during his visit there in April, and for the president's commitment in defence of fundamental moral values. The discussions them turned to the main themes of international politics: relations between the United States of America and Europe, the Middle East and efforts for peace in the Holy Land, globalisation, the food crisis and international trade, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
"At the end of the meeting, and following the exchange of gifts, Benedict XVI and President Bush took a brief stroll in the Vatican Gardens to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes where they were joined by Mrs Bush and the entourage. There, the Choir of the Sistine Chapel sang two hymns".
President Bush "Honored" to Meet Holy Father at Special Vatican Welcome
Vatican City, Jun 13, 2008 (CNA).- This morning at the Vatican, U.S. President, George W. Bush met with the Holy Father in the Tower of St. John, located in the Vatican Gardens. The tower, which is not usually where the Pontiff receives heads of state, was restored by Pope John XXIII as a place he could work in peace, and is sometimes used as a residence for important guests.
President Bush, his wife, Laura, and the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, Mary Ann Glendon met the Pontiff at the entrance to the Tower of St. John, before the President and Pope held their discussions. The Vatican reports that the Pope wanted to meet President Bush at the unique venue to express gratitude for the warm reception at the White House the Pontiff received when he visited the United States last April.
As the two heads of state ascended the stairs of the tower, it was reported by the UK Telegraph that President Bush whispered, �what an honor, what an honor!� Laura Bush and the ambassador remained with the prefect of the Pontifical Household, Michael Harvey.
During their discussions, Pope Benedict again thanked the president for the welcome he received during his April visit to the United States and also expressed gratitude for his commitment to the defense of moral values.
The two went on to discuss international politics: relations in between the U.S. and Europe, issues in the Middle East, peace in the Holy Land, globalization, the food crisis and international trade, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
Benedict XVI and President Bush ended their meeting by taking a brief stroll in the Vatican Gardens to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. It was there where they were joined by Mrs. Bush and were treated to two hymns sung by the Choir of the Sistine Chapel.
The President will depart from Rome today and will continue his tour of Europe.
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