White House pomp is unfurled for pope

washington – Pope Benedict XVI today celebrated his first full day in the United States awash in the pomp and ceremony that befits the visiting head of the Roman Catholic Church, who also marked his 81st birthday.

In the bright spring sunshine on the South Lawn of the White House, Benedict and President Bush sounded similar themes on the importance of freedom and the need for moral values to help shape public debates.

“The preservation of freedom calls for the cultivation of virtue, self-discipline, sacrifice for the common good and a sense of responsibility toward the less fortunate,” Benedict said.

“It also demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one’s deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate,” he said.

In his formal greetings, Bush said: “We need your message to reject this dictatorship of relativism and embrace a culture of justice and truth. In a world where some see freedom as simply the right to do as they wish, we need your message that true liberty requires us to live our freedom not just for ourselves.”

After a celebration of graciousness that lasted more than an hour, the pair went inside for private talks in the Oval Office, where they discussed issues including immigration, the Middle East, and the need to fight poverty and pandemics, especially in Africa, according to a joint statement.

After the meeting, the pope left the White House and rode in the popemobile along Pennsylvania Avenue back to the Apostolic Nunciature. The pope waved from his bullet-proof vehicle at the thousands of people seeking to catch a glimpse.

Later, the pope will attend a prayer service with U.S. bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Because of the service, the pope will skip a White House dinner in his honor.

The visit of a head of state is always full of protocol and pomp, but all stops seemingly were pulled out for Benedict’s visit, his first as pope.

The White House estimated that 13,500 guests went through the rigors of a security check in what was billed as the largest such arrival ceremony of the Bush presidency and among the largest ever at the White House.

The pope, who began his morning in prayer at the Apostolic Nunciatore, the Vatican’s Embassy, was greeted with a 21-gun salute and a host of dignitaries led by Bush. Famed Soprano Kathleen Battle sang “The Lord’s Prayer,” and the Marine Band performed the national anthems of the United States and the Holy See.

Members of the Knights of Columbus, in their bright uniforms and plumed hats, were visible in the crowd. Clerics, resplendent in the red and purple robes of the church hierarchy, stood out in the sea of humanity.

The carefully orchestrated arrival ceremony was interrupted as children’s voices burst into “Happy Birthday.” The beaming pontiff looked on and applauded.

“You have chosen to visit America on your birthday,” President Bush said, welcoming Benedict, who arrived on Monday. “Well, birthdays are traditionally spent with close friends, so our entire nation is moved and honored that you have decided to share this special day with us.”

Benedict returned the kindness.

“Thank you for the gracious words of welcome on behalf of the people of the United States of America,” Benedict began. He went on to praise the role religion has had in shaping the United States and its “vast pluralistic society.”

Benedict urged Americans to be true to their “deepest beliefs and values” in all aspects of their lives. Lauding the ability to worship freely that is a cornerstone of the nation, the pope said religious beliefs will forever serve as a “precious source of insight” for people facing “the increasingly complex political and ethical issues of our time.”

“From the dawn of the republic, America’s quest for freedom has been guided by the conviction that the principles governing political and social life are intimately linked to a moral order based on the dominion of God the creator,” the pope said. “Religious beliefs were a constant inspiration and driving force” throughout American history, he added.

“Mr. President and friends, as I begin my visit to the United States, I express once more my gratitude for your invitation, my joy to be in your midst, and my firm prayers that almighty God will confirm this nation and its people in the ways of justice, prosperity and peace.”

He ended with a joyous “God Bless America.”

The pope also used his remarks to praise the United Nations, which he will address on Friday. In what might be seen as a gentle chiding of Bush, the pope voiced support for “the patient efforts of international diplomacy to resolve conflicts and promote progress.”

Today’s festive ceremonies were the bright visions of Benedict’s serious goals during his visit. He has said that he hopes to heal the wounds of the sexual abuse scandal that has rocked his church throughout the decade, costing more than $2 billion in settlements with people who were abused by the clergy.

During the welcoming ceremony, there was a small protest in Lafayette Park against the church’s handling of the abuse scandal. Protesters carried signs saying, “Celibacy has failed!” and another saying, “100,000+ Sexual Abused Kids in the U.S.”

Benedict, who has said he was ashamed of the scandal.

On Tuesday’s flight from Rome, Benedict told reporters that he wanted to discuss immigration issues and was concerned about border violence and the impact of the policies on families.

“The Holy Father and the President also considered the situation in Latin America with reference, among other matters, to immigrants, and the need for a coordinated policy regarding immigration, especially their humane treatment and the well-being of their families,” according to the joint statement.

In Congress, Bush had pushed for immigration reform but was unable to make much progress against conservative opposition. Bush and Benedict also share an opposition to abortion, gay marriage and embryonic stem cell research.

But their differences are equally striking. They have famously disagreed over the war in Iraq. According to the joint statement:

“The Holy Father and the President devoted considerable time in their discussions to the Middle East, in particular resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict in line with the vision of two states living side-by-side in peace and security, their mutual support for the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon, and their common concern for the situation in Iraq and particularly the precarious state of Christian communities there and elsewhere in the region.”

The meeting between Bush and Benedict was the 25th between a Roman Catholic pope and a U.S. president in the last nine decades. But it is the first such meeting in almost 30 years.

Tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

Michael.muskal@latimes.com

Wilkinson reported from Washington and Muskal from Los Angeles. Staff writers James Gerstenzang and Rebecca Trounson contributed from Washington.