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)

.

.

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.

[silent_jonny]

Pope Benedict XVI, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura pose in the Vatican Gardens during their meeting 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

[Kaslin]

I love the second photo in post# 9 to have on my toaster when you get the chance

[silent_jonny]

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

Pictured is a view of the Vatican Gardens Friday, June 13, 2008. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

[Cinnamon Girl]

The Vatican gardens look amazing. And it looks like great weather. What a nice trip.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI walk to the Lourdes Grotto at the Vatican, June 13, 2008

Press Secretary Dana Perino: The President had a wonderful meeting with the Pope. This is their third meeting in about a year or a little over a year. They have formed a strong and personal bond. The President said he was very honored to be taken on a walk through the gardens that the Pope walks through every evening; that it was very special, and that they had a good conversation as they have in the past, especially after the visit in April when they got to know each other even better.

[silent_jonny]

Pope Benddict XVI and US President George W. Bush walk in the Vatican Gardens at the end of their meeting at the Vatican Friday, June 13, 2008.

[silent_jonny]

Mrs. Laura Bush speaks with students at the American Study Center Friday, June 13, 2008, at the Mattei Palace in Rome. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Mrs. Laura Bush meets with students at the American Study Center Friday, June 13, 2008, at the Mattei Palace in Rome. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

[silent_jonny]

First Lady Laura Bush, second from right, meets with students of the American Study Center at Mattei Palace, in Rome, Friday, June 13, 2008.

[Fudd Fan]

Wonderful photos tonight, jonny. Great job!!

The photo of the Pope and the President walking is almost a re-creation of the one of JPII and Reagan. Makes me nostalgic...

[silent_jonny]

Mrs. Laura Bush is seen Friday, June 13, 2008, during a tour of the Mattei Palace in Rome. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

[mojo114]

Love your tag
Wonderful pictures of our President. Thank you

[silent_jonny]

Air Force One

Mrs. Laura Bush speaks with members of the press June 13, 2008 aboard Air Force One, as she and President Bush travel from Rome to Paris on their multi-city European visit. White House photo by Eric Draper

Q How was the President's meeting with the Pope?

Mrs. Bush: Well, I'll let the President tell you about that because I didn't go into their private meeting. I was -- stayed outside with their Foreign Minister, the Cardinal who is their Foreign Minister, and our Ambassador.

Q Did you see anything interesting on the grounds?

Mrs. Bush: The grounds were very beautiful and the garden that I happened to walk by, that they walked with me by, was the Mexico Garden with the Virgin of Guadalupe statue, which was very interesting and -- for me to see because I've always had a particular interest in the Virgin of Guadalupe because of our closeness to Mexico in Texas. It's a -- the Virgin of Guadalupe is also one of the saints that people in Texas look to.

Q We were a little surprised that he would meet with him three times in a year.

Mrs. Bush: Well, I -- you know, I mean, it's partly because we were here and because we were able to host him. And we're very honored to have had the chance to host the Holy Father. I'm very happy that that happened while my husband was President and that we got to host him in the United States. I think he was really very moved by the outpouring of warmth from the American people, both Catholics and non-Catholics who revere the Pope as someone, you know, with unquestionable moral authority.

So it was very nice to get to see him again, and I'm also really happy we had the chance to host him in the United States.

[maica]

Thanks, for all your work, and for adding Mrs Bush’s comments. How else would we ever know how graciously she speaks to the media!

[Kaslin]

I wonder who the snarky reporter was, who asked this question: “We were a little surprised that he would meet with him three times in a year.”?

[retrokitten]

Hi, SJ!! I’m on the ping list, but I just lurk here occasionally. But the 2nd photo in post #30 is awesome!

And I’d be smiling just like Laura at the guy in the 3rd photo in #28, too. hehehehehee

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush wave as they arrive in Paris Orly airport, June 13, 2008.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush walk down the stairs from Air Force One on their arrival Friday, June 13, 2008, to Orly Airport in Paris. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

[silent_jonny]

President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrive for the president's speech to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Friday, June 13, 2008, in Paris.

President George W. Bush (C) is shown the grounds of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) by the organization's Secretary General Angel Gurria (R) alongside U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) before Bush delivered remarks there in Paris, June 13, 2008

President Bush talks with Angel Gurria, Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, prior to delivering a speech before the organization, Friday, June 13,2008, in Paris.

[crymeariver]

Just to set the record straight...it’s Our Lady of Guadalupe not the Virgin of Guadalupe. It’s the mother of God not a Saint. I don’t expect a Methodist to know this.

[silent_jonny]

President Bush arrives to give a speech at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Friday, June 13, 2008, in Paris.

President Bush: The rise of free and prosperous societies in the broader Middle East is essential to peace in the 21st century, just as the rise of a free and prosperous Europe was essential to peace in the 20th century. So Europe and America must stand with reformers, democratic leaders, and millions of ordinary people across the Middle East who seek a future of hope and liberty and peace.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush addresses the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Friday, June 13, 2008, in Paris, saying "America and Europe are cooperating to widen the circle of development and prosperity." White House photo by Shealah Craighead

President Bush: In Iran and Syria, we must stand with the decent people of those two nations who deserve much better than the life they have today. We must stand -- we must firmly oppose Iran and Syria's support for terror. And for the security of Europe and for the peace of the world, we must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.

In Iraq, we must stand with the courageous people who have turned the momentum against al Qaeda and extremists. From Anbar province, to mixed neighborhoods in Baghdad, to the cities of Basra and Mosul, Iraqis of all backgrounds have made it clear they reject extremism and terror. Today, violence in Iraq is down to the lowest point since March of 2004. Civilian deaths are down. Sectarian killings are down. And as security has improved, economic life has been revived. Reconciliation is taking place in communities across that country. And the government in Baghdad is showing strong leadership and progress on the path to a free society. With the terrorists on the run and freedom on the rise, it is in the interests of every nation on this continent to support a stable and democratic Iraq.

[silent_jonny]

A group of U.S. World War II veterans look on as President Bush delivers a speech at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Friday, June 13, 2008, in Paris.

[silent_jonny]

President Bush speaks at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Friday, June 13, 2008, in Paris, France.

President Bush: In truth, this is a strange time to doubt the power of liberty. Over the past 30 years, the number of democracies has grown from 45 to more than 120, which is the fastest advance of freedom in history. As some of the world's oldest democracies, we should never be surprised by the appeal of freedom. We should stand against the moral relativism that views all forms of government as equally acceptable. And we should be confident that one day, the same determination and desire that brought freedom to Paris and Berlin and Riga will bring freedom to Gaza, Damascus, and Tehran.

[silent_jonny]

President Bush greets guests after speaking at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Friday, June 13, 2008, in Paris.

President George W. Bush meets with World War II veterans following his address to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Friday, June 13, 2008, in Paris, honoring the strong relationship between the United States and Europe. White House photo by Eric Draper

[redhead]

These two men are very comfortable with each other. I have to admit that I have been praying for Bush’s conversion for a long time...

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush reviews an honor guard as he arrives to meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy for a dinner Friday evening, June 13, 2008, at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush is welcomed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy for a dinner Friday evening, June 13, 2008, at the Elysee Palace in Paris. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush is welcomed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy for a dinner Friday evening, June 13, 2008, at the Elysee Palace in Paris. White House photo by Eric Draper

[retrokitten]

Trying sooooooo hard not to make an Inspector Clouseau comment.....

[silent_jonny]

President Bush is greeted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Friday, June 13,2008, at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

[silent_jonny]

ALL CLEAR!

Feel free to post or repost any photos that are related to this thread.