Bush visits Pope

However the outcome of it, I'm glad Bush took the time to visit Vatican City while in Europe to make audience with the Pope. I'm glad because it shows that Christianity is still relevant, that religion is still relevant. I know this is political showmanship on behalf of the president, but the Pope did get the opportunity to express his concerns to the president over issues like the Iraq war, the global HIV/AIDS crisis, and even U.S. Immigration reform. He spoke on behalf of the Church, telling the president what the faith of 64 million Catholic Americans thought of his work and government. No one else gets to do this!

From the articles I read about the meeting, it almost seems like this resembled a meeting between teacher and student, or boss and employee (with the pope as teacher and boss). Or for a political comparison, a meeting between Queen and Prime Minister.

CNN reports: 'The pope also asked Bush about his meeting in Germany with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has criticized a U.S. missile shield in Europe. "The dialogue with Putin was also good?" the pope asked. Bush, apparently looking at photographers and reporters who were about to be escorted from the room, replied, according to AP: "Umm. I'll tell you in a minute."'

I also find the albeit politically-charged words of Bush after his meeting with the Pope comforting: "After 6-1/2 years of being a president ... I've been to some unusual places and met some interesting people and I was in awe".

Small Wonders.

Source: 'Bush feels Awe for Loving Pope', CNN online, June 9, 2007