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Bush Visits Pope In Vatican

By Howard M. Friedman

During his trip to Europe, on Friday President George W. Bush met with Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican. Catholic News Service reports that in a break with normal protocol in order to express the Pope's thanks for the hospitality he was shown in the U.S. in April, the two met in the Vatican Gardens, held private talks in St. John's Tower, and listened to a choral performance in the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes performed by the Sistine Chapel Choir. U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, Mary Ann Glendon, commented that Bush and the Pope have "a shared foundation of spiritual and moral views that colors the way they discuss political issues," calling it "a living example of what the pope means when he speaks about positive secularism." She continued: "It is a living example of the fact that democracy and Christianity are good for each other." As Bush looked at the surrounding area from the top of St. John's Tower, he asked how large Vatican City was. A Vatican aide replied: "Not quite as big as Texas."

Full post as published by Religion Clause on June 15, 2008 (boomark / email).