Extraordinary Protocol for Final Bush Visit to Vatican
(13 Jun 08 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI received US President George W Bush in private
audience today.Emer McCarthy reports.
The farewell
visit between outgoing US president George W Bush and Pope Benedict XVI was a marked
change from the first formal encounter between the two men in 2007.
Then Pope
Benedict received the Head of State in his private study in the Apostolic Palace,
where all official guests to the Vatican are welcomed.
Friday however, the
heavily guarded presidential cavalcade swept past the St Damaso courtyard through
the Vatican Gardens to the hill top of the tiny city state where Pope Benedict XVI
awaited President Bush, flanked by his Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone.
The
Holy Father greeted the US president and escorted him to St John’s Tower, where in
a study on the upper floor they held private discussions. A note issued Friday described
the talks as “cordial”, stating that the Pope “reiterated his gratitude for the warm
and exceptional welcome he had received in the United States of America and at the
White House during his visit there in April, and for the president's commitment in
defence of fundamental moral values. The discussions then turned to the main themes
of international politics: relations between the United States of America and Europe,
the Middle East and efforts for peace in the Holy Land, globalisation, the food crisis
and international trade, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
From
the Tower the Pope drew President’s attention to the commanding view of the tiny city
State and St Peter’s basilica, before the two posed for photographs and exchanged
gifts. The president gifted Pope Benedict a photograph of the two walking along the
White House colonnade on their way to the Oval Office in April. The picture was presented
in a sterling silver frame with an engraved presidential seal. For his part Pope
Benedict gave Bush a framed photograph and four volumes on St. Peter's Basilica, before
inviting the President to take a stroll with him through the world famous gardens,
coming to rest before the replica of the grotto of our Lady of Lourdes. There the
two were joined by their delegations for a brief recital by the Sistine Chapel Choir. President
Bush was accompanied on his Vatican visit by his wife Laura Bush and US ambassador
to the Holy See, Mary Ann Glendon. The extraordinary protocol of Friday’s visit
was, noted the Vatican, in order to respond to the cordiality of the welcome received
by the Pope during his recent visit to the United States. Indeed the President spent
over an hour in the Popes company, before taking his leave at midday.
President
Bush’s meeting with Pope Benedict concludes the Italian leg of his European tour.
He leaves Rome Friday, before travelling on to France.