Posted on 04/16/2008 4:14:41 PM PDT by daisyscarlett
President and Mrs. Bush welcomed His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the White House today during his first visit to the United States as Pope. Link
Tonight, the President and Mrs. Bush will hold a Social Dinner in honor of the Pope. He will not attend due to a longstanding Vatican policy. German food will be served in his honor.
This afternoon, the President addressed Climate Change in a speech in the Rose Garden. Link
Hi.
President George W. Bush shakes hands with Pope Benedict XVI on his arrival to the White House Wednesday, April 16, 2008, for the welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn in honor of the Pope’s visit to the United States. 
President George W. Bush delivers remarks Wednesday, April 16, 2008, during the arrival ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI on the South Lawn of the White House. Said the President, "Holy Father, thank you for making this journey to America. Our nation welcomes you. We appreciate the example you set for the world, and we ask that you always keep us in your prayers."
Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges guests Wednesday, April 16, 2008, during the arrival ceremony for the Pope on the South Lawn of the White House. Said Pope Benedict XVI during the ceremony, "Mr. President, dear friends, as I begin my visit to the United States, I express once more my gratitude for your invitation, my joy to be in your midst, and my fervent prayers that Almighty God will confirm this nation and its people in the ways of justice, prosperity and peace."
President George W. Bush shakes hands with Pope Benedict XVI following the Pope’s remarks Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at the welcoming ceremony for the Pope on the South Lawn of the White House.
President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI stand together during the playing of the National Anthem at the Pope’s welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI delivers a message to thousands of invited guests Wednesday, April 16, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House.
Members of the clergy sing "Happy Birthday" to Pope Benedict XVI in celebration of the Pope's 81st birthday, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, during an arrival ceremony for the Holy Father on the South Lawn of the White House.
President George W. Bush and Laura Bush applaud as Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges being sung happy birthday by the thousands of guests Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at his welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.
Members of the Knights of Columbus salute during the welcoming ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House.
Soprano Kathleen Battle sings "The Lord's Prayer," Wednesday, April 16, 2008, during the arrival ceremony in honor of Pope Benedict XVI on the South Lawn of the White House.
Members of the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps perform on the South Lawn of the White House April 16, 2008, at the welcoming ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI.
President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI look out onto the Rose Garden from the Colonnade of the White House before their meeting Wednesday, April 16, 2008. The visit of Pope Benedict XVI is the first White House papal visit in three decades.
President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI pause along the White House Colonnade to look at the Rose Garden on their way for a meeting in the Oval Office Wednesday, April 16, 2008, following the Pope's welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.
President George W. Bush escorts Pope Benedict XVI along the White House Colonnade for their meeting in the Oval Office Wednesday, April 16, 2008, following the Pope's welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.
President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI meet in the Oval Office Wednesday, April 16, 2008, following the Pope's welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.
President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush lead the celebration of the 81st birthday of Pope Benedict XVI as he's presented a cake by White House Pastry Chef Bill Yosses Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at the White House
Pope Benedict XVI waves from the Pope-mobile as he passes the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue Wednesday, April 16, 2008, following a welcoming ceremony in his honor on the South Lawn.
Crowds of people gather outside of the United States Treasury Department to see Pope Benedict XVI as he leaves the White House Wednesday, April 16, 2008, following the arrival ceremony on the South Lawn.
Kids with signs wait for Pope Benedict XVI outside of the United States Treasury Department Wednesday, April 16, 2008, after after the arrival ceremony at the White House.
President George W. Bush speaks on climate change during remarks from the Rose Garden Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at the White House. Said the President, "I'm confident that with sensible and balanced policies from Washington, American innovators and entrepreneurs will pioneer a new generation of technology that improves our environment, strengthens our economy, and continues to amaze the world."
The United States flag and the flag of the Vatican fly along South Capitol Street in Washington, DC.
Pope Benedict XVI is welcomed by President Bush at the White House in Washington April 16, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd as President Bush applauds, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, during a South Lawn arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington.
Opera Singer Kathleen Battle performs during the Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush arrival ceremony for the pope on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 16, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush look on as U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi bows and kisses the ring of Pope Benedict XVI as he is welcomed to the United States at a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 16, 2008. At right is U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Paul Pelosi, husband of Nancy Pelosi, and U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney. 
U.S. President George W. Bush (bottom right) escorts Pope Benedict XVI into the White House for a meeting after an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 16, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI and U.S. President George W. Bush walk to the Oval Office at the White House in Washington April 16, 2008.
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Pope Benedict XVI walks with U.S. President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington April 16, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI arrives to a cake prepared for his birthday as U.S. President George W. Bush claps at the White House in Washington April 16, 2008.
Any catholics out there who know what this “long standing Vatican policy” is that prevents the Pope from dining with the President at the White House?
Gosh, you have some real beauties today. Thanks for doing these.
I am so sorry about your botched surgery and hope it can be corrected. Also, sorry that your g.d. has to have surgery...it will make it hard for her, having new baby and all.
The Pope is dining with his Cardinals tonight. I think he cannot participate in any state dinners, not just ours. I will research this some more.
This is the first time that I simply can not decide on a favorite. All of them are! Make me a gigantic toaster with most of them on it! LOL. In a much smaller size of course.
"Instead the pope - who tradition keeps from eating in public - marked his 81st birthday with a private lunch with cardinals and bishops."
A bit of info on this from John Allen, who knows as much as anyone on all things related to the Vatican: RUMOR CONTROL: White House bash and lay ministers
1. The Pope is “snubbing” President Bush by not attending a White House dinner in his honor.In fact, the pope virtually never attends gala events organized in his honor by other parties, especially while he’s on the road. Basically speaking, when the pope travels he commits to following his official agenda, no more and no less.
This time around, for example, it’s not just the White House that’s throwing a party for the pope without the guest of honor. The Italian Embassy to the United States is also hosting a birthday bash organized by former and current U.S. ambassadors to the Holy See. Once again, the Holy Father is not expected to attend.
Rumors, therefore, that Benedict XVI has “spurned” an invitation from Bush on the basis of some specific policy difference – out of protest over the Iraq war, for example, or debates over the use of “torture” – seriously over-interpret this standard bit of papal operating procedure.
Of course, Benedict XVI is committed to staying above the American political fray, and that might provide an additional incentive to steer clear of events that could be interpreted as having a political overtone. Nonetheless, the bottom line on the White House bash is that if you’re going to a party with the pope, it’s almost always going to be on his turf and at his invitation.
I don’t think it’s a Vatican policy, but I heard it reported that Pope Benedict XVI prefers to dine in private. Besides the Vatican had announced ahead that the Holy Father won’t be dining in the White House
I love these state dinners.
A wonderful Dose tonight on such an event filled day. Thank you.
Thanks for the ping and thanks for the great photos
DAISY!
Thanks for all the beautiful pictures of Pope Benedict XVI. And, of course, our joyful appearing President and First Lady.
Orange....the perfect color for the type font of today!!! ;-)
Fantastic pics. Thanks!
When they sang, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and got to the part ...”as he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free!” ...oh, how the tears flowed!
Thanks for the dose
HEADS UP . . . VP CHENEY WILL BE SPEAKING MOMENTARILY AT THE CORRESPONDENTS DINNER — FOXNEWS (H&C)!
daisyscarlett: THANK YOU for posting this historic DOSE — a DOSE that honors two incredibly courageous and visionary leaders!
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IF YOU MISSED TODAY’S EXTRAORDINARY CEREMONY, YOU CAN WATCH IT ON CSPAN AT 11 PM EDT!
While I enjoyed the Pope’s comments, I found the President’s remarks particularly poignant. My favorite passage:
“In a world where some no longer believe that we can distinguish between simple right and wrong, we need your message to reject this “dictatorship of relativism,” and embrace a culture of justice and truth.” (Applause.)]
http://inside.c-spanarchives.org:8080/cspan/schedule.csp?
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FELLOW WARRIORS
By INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY
Leadership: Pope Benedict XVI is a man of peace, but he and President Bush are both waging wars for which they’ve suffered unpopularity. Bush combats Islamofascism, while the pope’s enemy is moral relativism.
You can read the entire editorial here:
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=293238106773120
You beat me to it by seconds :o)
I saw on NBC news with Brian Williams tonight that Laura was wearing white and it was against Vatican protocol. (Only the Pope should wear white.)
Did anyone else see this???
I should have known you’d be on top of it! . . . I hope he REALLY roasts the press!
I hope the surgery goes well for both you and your daughter
No...seems she or her people are well versed in protocol...seems they’d know this,if it were true.
I would say the First Lady’s outfit was more ivory than white.
Madame Alexander still does great dolls. Check them out.
....Oh...I wish....
Thanks for that additional information on the no show Pope, lol. I expect a trivia question 10-20 years from now will be: Who did Pres Bush have a state dinner for who did not show up? Maybe on Jeopardy.
Dissin’ Gore...love it!!!!
You’re welcome. The White House had lots of photos today so I posted them first and just added the Yahoo ones later.
ooooooo bitter gun joke!!!! excellent!!!
The Bushes did look great today; they are so photogenic.
I was obsessed with font color tonight...wanted to match the yellow of the Vatican flag but could not find a yellow that was distinct enough. Did you notice all the yellow tulips the planted in honor of the Vatican colors?
Hi and you are welcome.
global warming jokes....LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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