One splendid day at the White House
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The morning sun did seem brighter, and the blue sky actually seemed bluer when Pope Benedict came to the White House today. The weather was glorious. In the press line at the security gate, some seasoned White House journalists said they hadn’t seen anything like this crowd before, not even when Queen Elizabeth visited. The press line was unusually long, security was extraordinary, and the crowd flocking to the South Lawn was unprecedented in size.Â
Lampposts fluttered with flags in the red-white-and-blue of America and yellow-and-white of the Holy See. The vast South Lawn was filled to nearly bursting with the largest crowd of Bush’s presidency, requiring a large television screen so those further back could see. Groups of Boy and Girl Scouts in their uniforms and members of the Knights of Columbus wore their traditional brightly colored feather headgear. Thousands unable to get inside filled Washington’s streets as well, playing music and waving banners as they waited for a hoped-for glimpse of the pontiff passing by later in his popemobile…
An enthralled South Lawn crowd of more than 13,500 sang “Happy Birthday” to Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday — twice — and President Bush said that the first papal White House visit in 29 years was a reminder for Americans to “distinguish between simple right and wrong.”
Bush sounded strong today, like a leader.
“We need your message to reject this dictatorship of relativism and embrace a culture of justice and truth,” Bush said in brief remarks welcoming Benedict to the White House. “In a world where some see freedom as simply the right to do as they wish, we need your message that true liberty requires us to live our freedom not just for ourselves, but in a spirit of mutual support.”
This sounded like something straight out of Benedict’s own addresses. And it seemed less like good prep work and more like the sincere desire to be a leader, and one who listens.
Bush showed off America to its important visitor, ticking off what he said are its best virtues: a nation of prayer and compassion and one that is the most “innovative, creative and dynamic country on Earth” but also among the most religious…But while acting the proud father, Bush also seemed to suggest that America could use a little tough talking-to by the pontiff.
Here is the full transcript of Bush’s remarks and Pope Benedict’s address.
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The beautifully choreographed south lawn setting at the White House with nature providing a fitting backdrop of a brilliant blue sky could not have been more inspiring. “God Bless America” were the words the Pope used as a most appropriate ending to his succinct and timely message.
One could not be blamed if they were to wonder where this message of hope and beauty has been lately, especially when just a short time ago we heard the unfortunate Rev. Wright use his pulpit to cast aspersions on our country in exactly the opposite words this man of peace used.
God bless Pope Benedict, and God’s blessings on President Bush as well. This event would have never happened if it were not for the President’s noble instincts and authentic belief in Christ.