(15 Apr 08 - RV) ‘Shepherd One’ as it has been dubbed by people in the US arrived
on time at Andrews Air force Base Maryland shortly before 4 pm local time.
Apostolic
Nuncio to the United States Pietro Sambi, immediately boarded the Alitalia plane bearing
the papal banners yellow and white.
Shortly afterwards Pope Benedict emerged
from the Boeing 777 to the strains of ‘Happy Birthday’ from a students, waiting on
the ground.
At the foot of the plane, US president George W Bush accompanied
by his wife and daughter greeted the Pope welcoming him on his first official visit
to the United States of America.
The Holy Father was accompanied by Vatican
Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and personal secretary Georg Gaenswein.
Pope
Benedict XVI warmly waved to the gathered and screaming crowds as he made his way
towards the airport base where a limousine awaited to transport him from the Maryland
airfield to the Apostolic Nunciature in the Capital Washington DC.
Of course
the official welcoming ceremony will take place Wednesday, when Pope Benedict XVI
will be guest of honour at the White House.
The ceremony will take place on
the South Lawn of the White House. There the Holy Father will deliver a televised
speech, followed by a courtesy visit with the president in the Oval Office. At
noon local time Wednesday the Pope will return to the nunciature where he will lunch
with the U.S. Cardinals. Shortly after, he will greet representatives of Catholic
charitable foundations at the nunciature. Following this he will journey to the Basilica
of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where he will celebrate vespers
and meet with the bishops of the United States in the basilica, one of the highlights
of his pilgrimage. Wednesday also marks Pope Benedict XVI’s 81st birthday.