A Day in the Life of President Bush (at The Vatican & in Paris): 6-13-08

WhiteHouse.gov & other sources ^ | 6-13-08

[silent_jonny]

President & Mrs. Bush met today with Pope Benedict XVI at The Vatican. The pope treated the president to a rare tour of the Vatican Gardens, a spot where popes pray privately and only special guests are allowed to stroll.

First Lady Laura Bush toured the Mattei Palace in Rome and met there with students in the American Study Center.

The first couple then boarded Air Force One and traveled to Paris, France.

During the flight, Mrs. Bush participated in a rare press gaggle with reporters on the plane. “Hey everybody, how are you all? Good to see you.” (Transcript)

Landing in Paris, President Bush spoke to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, reemphasizing the strong bond between France and the United States. (Transcript)

Afterwards, the president was welcomed warmly by French President Nicholas Sarkozy. The two leaders will have dinner tonight at Elysee Palace in Paris.

President and Mrs. Bush
Saddened by Death of Tim Russert

Laura and I are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Tim Russert. Those of us who knew and worked with Tim, his many friends, and the millions of Americans who loyally followed his career on the air will all miss him.

Tim Russert interviews President Bush in the Oval Office, February 2004.

As the longest-serving host of the longest-running program in the history of television, he was an institution in both news and politics for more than two decades. Tim was a tough and hardworking newsman. He was always well-informed and thorough in his interviews. And he was as gregarious off the set as he was prepared on it .

With the infamous dry-erase board that he used during the chaos of Election Night 2000. TV Guide selected this as one of the “100 Most Memorable TV Moments” in history.

Most important, Tim was a proud son and father, and Laura and I offer our deepest sympathies to his wife Maureen, his son Luke, and the entire Russert family. We will keep them in our prayers.

(Transcript)

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Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island

[silent_jonny]

Quote of the Day:

President Bush: (speaking in Paris) Laura and I are having a wonderful trip through Europe, and we are so pleased to be back in Paris. It's been a little more than four years since we were last in Paris together, and a lot has changed. Laura wrote a book. (Laughter.) Our daughter got married. (Laughter.) My dad jumped out of an airplane. (Laughter.) And my hair is a lot grayer. (Laughter.)

What has not changed is the friendship between America and France. Recent history has made clear that no disagreement can diminish the deep ties between our nations. France was America's first friend. And over the centuries, our nations stood united in moments of testing -- from the Marne, to Omaha Beach to the long vigil of the Cold War. After September the 11th, 2001, a major French newspaper published a headline my nation will never forget: "Nous sommes tous Americains." America is grateful to the people of France. We're proud to call you friends. And our alliance will stand the test of time.

Photo of the Day:

President George W. Bush joins Pope Benedict XVI on a walk through the Vatican Gardens Friday, June 13, 2008 at the Vatican. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

[Kaslin]

Hi!

[silent_jonny]

Dose Ping!

Please Pray for President Bush

There are many photos tonight and I haven't sorted through all of them yet, so this could take a while. Be patient, lol

Please wait for the "All Clear" before posting or reposting pictures and graphics.

[silent_jonny]

Hi, Kas :)

[swmobuffalo]

Hello

[silent_jonny]

Crowds line the streets as U.S. President George W. Bush's motorcade passes on its way to visit Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican June 13, 2008.

Pope Benedict XVI, center, waits for President George W. Bush in front of the St. John's Tower in the lush Vatican Gardens at the Vatican Friday, June 13, 2008. The pontiff gave President Bush a rare peek of the Vatican Gardens, a spot where popes pray privately and only special guests are allowed to stroll.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush is welcomed by Pope Benedict XVI as he arrives Friday, June 13, 2008 at the Vatican. White House photo by Eric Draper

Pope Benedict XVI welcomes President George W. Bush upon his arrival at the Vatican Gardens, Friday, June 13, 2008.

[STARWISE]

Thanks, jonny .. beautiful 1st photo.

FRmail!

[silent_jonny]

Pope Benedict XVI meets with US President George W. Bush inside the medieval St. John's Tower in the Vatican Gardens, Friday, June 13, 2008.

President George W. Bush is shown a view of the Lourdes Grotto by Pope Benedict XVI Friday, June 13, 2008, at the Vatican. White House photo by Eric Draper

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush visits the Lourdes Grotto with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican June 13, 2008.

[MEG33]

Great pictures! Thank you, jonny.

[Kaslin]

Thanks.

[silent_jonny]

Mrs. Laura Bush meets with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, June 13, 2008, accompanied by President Bush. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI shake hands as first lady Laura Bush looks on in the Vatican gardens, Friday, June 13, 2008.

[Kaslin]

Hello!

[silent_jonny]

The Lourdes Grotto is seen in the Vatican June 13, 2008, before a visit to the site by U.S. President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI.

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush join Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, Vatican, as they watch a performance by The Pontifical Sistine Choir Friday, June 13, 2008, in the Lourdes Grotto at the Vatican. White House photo by Eric Draper

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush meet June 13, 2008 in the Vatican Gardens with Pope Benedict XVI and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, where they watch the performance of The Pontifical Sistine Choir. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush sit with Pope Benedict XVI in the Lourdes Grotto at the Vatican on Friday, June 13, 2008

President George W. Bush, Pope Benedict XVI and First Lady Laura Bush applaud a boy's choir as they visit the Lourdes Grotto at the Vatican June 13, 2008.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush listens as Pope Benedict XVI gestures as he talks about the Vatican Gardens Friday, June 13, 2008, at the Vatican. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush listens as Pope Benedict XVI describes the history of the Vatican Gardens, Friday, June 13, 2008.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush shakes hands with members of The Pontifical Sistine Choir following their performance Friday, June 13, 2008, in the Lourdes Grotto at the Vatican. White House photo by Eric Draper

[silent_jonny]

Pope Benedict XVI receives a picture from President George W. Bush after a meeting in the medieval St John's Tower in the Vatican Gardens on June 13, 2008.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush present Pope Benedict XVI with a framed photograph Friday, June 13, 2008, during their visit to the Vatican. The photo shows President Bush and Pope Benedict XVI together at the White House during the Pope's visit in April. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

President George W. Bush receives a picture from Pope Benedict XVI after a meeting in the medieval St John's Tower in the Vatican Gardens.