Bush Meets Pope Benedict for the First Time
L'Osservatore Romano via Associated Press
President Bush met Pope Benedict XVI today at the Vatican for the first time.
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New York Times
By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and IAN FISHER
Published: June 10, 2007
ROME, June 9 — President Bush and Pope Benedict XVI, both religious conservatives, met for the first time on Saturday in the papal palace at the Vatican, where the pontiff privately expressed his concerns to the president about “the worrying situation in Iraq,” especially the treatment of minority Christians there.
Mr. Bush, speaking to reporters after having lunch with Prime Minister Romano Prodi, conceded that the pope had raised those concerns. He pronounced himself “in awe” of Benedict and said he felt he had been “talking to a very smart, loving man.”
The president said he reminded the pope of America’s commitment to spend more on AIDS in Africa and American attempts to “feed the hungry.” And the two talked about immigration; the pontiff is apparently watching the immigration legislation debate in the United States with great interest. But Iraq loomed large over their hourlong session in the grand and elegant private papal library, with its plush regal chairs, ceiling frescoes and a crucifix by Giotto.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 4:39 PM
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