By John-Henry Westen
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the White House this morning, President George W. Bush said he was “privileged” to have the Pope there. The President’s greeting was warm and heartfelt as he acknowledged the Pope’s birthday.
Describing America to the Holy Father the President said: “Here in America you’ll find a nation of prayer. Each day millions of our citizens approach our Maker on bended knee, seeking His grace and giving thanks for the many blessings He bestows upon us. Millions of Americans have been praying for your visit, and millions look forward to praying with you this week.”
The President did not shy away from stating clearly the role of faith in the nation and its heritage. “Here in America you’ll find a nation that welcomes the role of faith in the public square,” he said. “When our Founders declared our nation’s independence, they rested their case on an appeal to the ‘laws of nature, and of nature’s God.’ We believe in religious liberty. We also believe that a love for freedom and a common moral law are written into every human heart, and that these constitute the firm foundation on which any successful free society must be built.”
When Pope Benedict and the President met in the Vatican last June, the President was intrigued with the Holy Father’s discussion of the tie between faith and reason. His public remarks in welcoming the Holy Father reflect that line of thought.
“Here in America, you’ll find a nation that is fully modern, yet guided by ancient and eternal truths. The United States is the most innovative, creative and dynamic country on earth—it is also among the most religious,” he said. “In our nation, faith and reason coexist in harmony. This is one of our country’s greatest strengths, and one of the reasons that our land remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for millions across the world.”
The President expressed the great hope he personally has for the benefits of the Pope’s visit to America. “Most of all, Holy Father, you will find in America people whose hearts are open to your message of hope. And America and the world need this message. In a world where some invoke the name of God to justify acts of terror and murder and hate, we need your message that ‘God is love.’ And embracing this love is the surest way to save men from ‘falling prey to the teaching of fanaticism and terrorism.’”
Thunderous applause interrupted the President as he remarked, “In a world where some treat life as something to be debased and discarded, we need your message that all human life is sacred.” He continued, “and your message that ‘each of us is willed, each of us is loved, and each of us is necessary.’”
He added, “In a world where some no longer believe that we can distinguish between simple right and wrong, we need your message to reject this ‘dictatorship of relativism,’ and embrace a culture of justice and truth.’
The President concluded saying: “We appreciate the example you set for the world, and we ask that you always keep us in your prayers.”