Vicar of Christ Arrives in the United States: Six Day Pilgrimage Begins

EWTN ^ | 15 April 2008

[big'ol_freeper]

Pope Benedict XVI, the Vicar of Christ, the 265th Successor of Peter, Shepperd of the Church founded by Jesus Christ, has arrived in the United States of American, landing at Andrews Air Force Base in Bethesda, Maryland at 1558 hours.

The Holy Father was greeted by U.S. President George W. Bush and his wife Laura. He is the first world leader that President Bush has ever greeted on the tarmac upon arrival in the United States.

Details of the Holy Father's visit can be found at:

Christ Our Hope: Pope Benedict XVI Apostolic Journey to the United States

[big'ol_freeper]

God Bless Pope Benedict XVI!!

[big'ol_freeper]

Ping

[MarineBrat]

Praying for a safe journey!

[mombonn]

I am so proud of our dear President Bush. His humility is breathtaking.

To be the first president ever to greet a world leader upon arrival speaks to what a great man he is.

Tears are rolling down my cheeks.

[Deo volente]

He looks great!

Viva il Papa!

[austinaero]

Praying for peace and safety for the Holy Father while blessing us with his presence on U.S. soil. I am in Texas and I am getting chills from here.

BTW - I do miss Pope John Paul.

[MayflowerMadam]

“Vicar of Christ”?

[spectre]

This is a very emotional event. God Bless and keep our Pope safe on his journey.

sw

[alarm rider]

Yes, that is correct.

[mombonn]

Shep just corrected himself. It is the first time a president has greeted a world leader at Andrews AFB, but there have been other times elswhere.

I am still so proud of President Bush - he demonstrates more humility and grace than anyone I can think of.

[spectre]

Absolutely.

sw

[ELS]

Benvenuto Papa Benedetto!

[redtetrahedron]

Vicar of Christ.

[big'ol_freeper]

It is no small gesture on the President’s part. It was a decision he made because he feels so very strongly about the world’s need for spiritual direction that only the Catholic Church can deliver. No other religious organization has the organization or influence to provide it.

[austinaero]

The Pope seems to really get a kick out of the crowd. He just lights up!

[MayflowerMadam]

Blasphemy.

[big'ol_freeper]

Who let you out of your troll hole?

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

The leftists have been preparing for his visit. They will be sure to jump and yell in the streets, like the uncivilized brute marxists that they are.

[Antoninus]

Blasphemy.

You forgot the /sarc tag.

[politicalwit]

As a non-catholic I simply don't see the big deal. The Pope is nothing more than a mortal man no different than anyone else.

How much does this visit cost the American taxpayer just in local, state and federal protection?

[big'ol_freeper]

I have no frame of reference of what it’s like to be a bitter troll, so you are on your own.

[tsmith130]

As a non-catholic I simply don't see the big deal.

Considering this, perhaps you could have just skipped onto the next thread.

[jmj3jude]

I so agree with you, I don't think I have been more proud of Bush since 911. He is a wonderful man and in my opinion a great President! I love him, and as a Catholic I was deeply touched by his humility towards the Holy Father!

[WoofDog123]

“To be the first president ever to greet a world leader upon arrival speaks to what a great man he is.”

Actually the article says that this is the first leader that bush has greated upon arrival, which would tend to indicate bush’s humility is selective.

[WoofDog123]

disregard, didn’t realize you were getting info from tv and not the article. apologies. TV is bad for realfacts. :)

[politicalwit]

Bitter troll? I don't think so. I'm simply stating I don't see what the big deal is about a visit from the Pope. Additionally, I don't think the American taxpayer should get stuck with security bills for religious leaders. The Catholic Church and its' Hollywood choreographed show tour can well afford to pay its own bills.

Are you so defensive because you know I'm correct?

[redtetrahedron]

Would you begrudge him the protection offered to any other head of state?

[N. Theknow]

As a non-catholic I simply don't see the big deal. The Pope is nothing more than a mortal man no different than anyone else.

As a Protestant, I felt the same for many years.

However, after watching Popes be chosen as successors to Peter and take up the Christ-given directive to "Feed my sheep" I have a kindred spirit with all the Popes and Catholics.

For we are all engaged in the same battle against a common foe. To denigrate any Christian faith is to be an ally for that foe.

To belittle any Christian faith or its chosen head who walks in the steps of Christ and holds true to His teachings is the same as The Navy or The Army belittling The Marines or The Air Force as being lesser services. It makes the battle that much more difficult.

With that in mind, I pray for the Pope to have a magnificent journey to our country and to re-invigorate the faithful of his church but of all churches and possibly even serve to draw more people to any Christian church of their chosing.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Ignorance on your part.

[Pyro7480]

The Holy Father is also a foreign leader of a state that has diplomatic ties with the U.S. (officially since Ronald Reagan’s presidency).

[A.A. Cunningham]

How much of the taxpayer’s money was wasted on your education?

[informavoracious]

Why is it that every thread containing the word "Catholic" turns into a sorry excuse for theological debate? Can't people show a smidgen of respect? Don't we Christians have greater demons to fight rather than one another?

God bless and protect Pope Benedict XVI.

[arbee4bush]

Thank you for that thoughtful and well written post. It would be good for those that came on this thread to belittle the Pope to read them and ponder.

[politicalwit]

Would you begrudge him the protection offered to any other head of state?Personally, I do not see the Pope as a head of state. I really don't understand why Vatican City is recognized as a state. It's a religious compound.

I see the Pope's visit as a fund raiser for the church and a political opportunity to sell Bush and others on a more "compassionate" view on illegal aliens.

[prairiebreeze]

I guess it’s a big enough deal that you felt compelled to post on the thread though.

[pgkdan]

Go away. Please find another thread to post on.

[arbee4bush]

Last I checked you were not at in charge of who is considered 'a head of state' so I guess until you are in that position, you just have to deal with it.

Isn't there other Papal visit threads you can go visit and poop on?

[prairiebreeze]

Another protestant who recognizes the importance of this leader and his visit here, appreciates your well written post.

bump!

[mware]

I was just over at DU.

The thread over there are pretty ugly. Even the worst of the comments here don't come close to what they are saying.

[Pyro7480]

Your view is irrelevant diplomatically. There are only 17 countries that don't have diplomatic relations with the Holy See, according to Wikipedia.

"Nine of these are Muslim: Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Comoros, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritania, Oman, and Somalia. Another four are run by communist regimes: PRC, North Korea, Laos, and Vietnam. The remaining four are Bhutan, Botswana, Burma, and Tuvalu."

[politicalwit]

How much of the taxpayer’s money was wasted on your education?

Your comment indicates that perhaps it is you that has been the victim of a public financed education. When did you complete the requirements for your GED?

[Jacquerie]

I do not see the Pope as a head of state. I really don't understand why Vatican City is recognized as a state.

Because it has been for nearly 1600 years. The Papacy filled part of the void left by the disintegrating Roman government.

[pgkdan]

How much of the taxpayer’s money was wasted on your education?

LOL! Not much.

[dsutah]

Ok, I think there is a problem with your argument. What some people on here don’t realize is that he is a foreign head of state! And he is a guest of our country. What do you want, to not have any protection and get shot somewhere as our guest?

Now I don’t believe you, or anyone else on here wants that. But he is a guest of our country. I think he has some of his own security detail with him. It seems to me that as our guest, our security can coordinate with his, can’t they? Just like any other foreign dignitary. Somebody please correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe I’m that far off!

[prairiebreeze]

Business as usual over at the DUmp, eh?

[A.A. Cunningham]

The Pope is a head of state so you are incorrect, yet again.

By the way, the Church would like to be reimbursed for the cumulative expenses it has incurred for all of the state visits of American Presidents. Should I let you know where to send your check?

[ArrogantBustard]

"Nine of these are Muslim: Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Comoros, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritania, Oman, and Somalia. Another four are run by communist regimes: PRC, North Korea, Laos, and Vietnam. The remaining four are Bhutan, Botswana, Burma, and Tuvalu."

What a wonderful group of nations! Such shining examples of liberty! Such amazing defenders of human dignity! Such lovely sanctuaries of spiritual fulfillment!

How can Vatican City not hang its collective diplomatic head in shame at their refusal to recognise it?

[politicalwit]

Please tell me...why should non-catholics care whether or not the Pope visits the US? What makes this religious/political leader more important than any other religious/political leader. What makes the Pope’s role in the Catholic church any different than the President of the SBC...both are elected positions.

[N. Theknow]

I was just over at DU.

The thread over there are pretty ugly. Even the worst of the comments here don't come close to what they are saying.

DU makes one think of the demons in the man in the cemetary. They were legion. One can only imagine their language.

Christ drove them out of the man and into a herd of swine where they belonged.

BTW - I often refer to that scripture as the origin of deviled ham.

[kitkat]

Go away and let us enjoy ourselves.