Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Bush and Pope Prepare to Meet

Pope Benedict XVI and US President George W. Bush
Franco Origlia / Getty; Carol T. Powers / Getty

TIME
Thursday, Jun. 07, 2007
By JEFF ISRAELY/ROME

At first glance, President Bush and Pope Benedict XVI offer a portrait in contrast: the swagger of a trust-my-gut Texan and the shyness of a cerebral theologian. But behind the photo-op set for Saturday's first-ever Bush-Benedict meeting are two men with some key traits in common. Both, of course, wield their words and policy with planetary reach thanks to the unique offices they hold. But there are also some notable parallels in the way they have come to exercise their respective global roles. More than six years into Bush's presidency and two years into Benedict's papacy, it is clear that neither is cut from the traditional cloth of international diplomacy. Beyond what are indeed very different styles and backgrounds and job descriptions are leaders who pride themselves as straight talkers who act according to what they see as simple truths. Indeed, the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the born-again Protestant President acknowledges that their public deeds — and diplomacy, itself — are driven by a very palpable and personal religious faith.

Though the agenda leading up to their Vatican meeting — from Iraq to debt relief to abortion — features points that both converge and diverge, the 30-plus minutes behind closed doors will above all be a meeting of two men of Christian devotion, says a Catholic Church insider. "The Pope knows he has a real believer in front of him," says the insider. "Bush's faith is seen here as something definitely authentic, even in its errors."
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 1:24 PM