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A Visit from the Pope

Cheering crowds, a band, and a four-tiered birthday cake prepared by the White House pastry chef warmly welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to the United States. The Pope began a whirlwind, six-day trip to Washington, D.C., and New York City on April 15. He is the spiritual leader of the world's 1 billion Roman Catholics. There are 67,515,000 Catholics in the United States.

On Wednesday, a crowd of 13,500 assembled on the South Lawn of the White House to greet the Pope. It was only the second time that a Pope has visited the President's home. The first was Pope John Paul II, who visited President Jimmy Carter in 1979. The enthusiastic crowd sang two choruses of "Happy Birthday" to Benedict, because it was his 81st birthday.

The Pope had a busy schedule. On Thursday morning, he celebrated Mass at Nationals Park. It was the first of two stadium Masses Benedict planned to celebrate. The other was at New York City's Yankee Stadium.

While in New York, the Pope was to address the United Nations and say a prayer at Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center once stood.

Benedict said that he hoped his visit would be "a source of renewal and hope for the Church in the United States."

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