Pope Benedict gives President Bush a warm reception at the Vatican

"Bush treated to warm greeting at Vatican" reports the Associated Press:

ROME (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI took President Bush on a rare stroll through the lush grounds of the Vatican Gardens on Friday, stopping at a grotto where the pontiff prays daily.

"Your eminence, you're looking good," Bush told the pope shortly after arriving at the Vatican, launching the leaders' third visit together.

Source: Reuters
Normally, VIPS are received in the pope's library in the Apostolic Palace. That's where Bush had his first meeting with Benedict in June 2007.

But in a gesture of appreciation for the hearty welcome Bush gave him in Washington in April, Benedict welcomed the president and first lady Laura Bush near St. John's Tower in the lush Vatican Gardens. ...

On a brief tour, Benedict and Bush peered out from a tower balcony, and the president seemed awed by what he saw. The pope pointed out St. Peter's dome as he showed Bush the view.

"This is fantastic up here," Bush said. "Thank you so much for showing me this."

White House press secretary Dana Perino said the two leaders have the kind of relationship that allows them to speak frankly. They discussed such issues as human rights, HIV and AIDS in Africa, and poverty around the world, she said.

Source: Reuters
After their private meeting ended, Bush and Benedict posed for official photographs and exchanged gifts.

The president gave the pontiff 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.

Benedict gave Bush a framed photograph and four volumes on St. Peter's Basilica.

"Perhaps you'll have some time to read it," he told Bush, whose presidency ends in January.

Members of the presidential entourage received rosaries and medals of the pontificate.

Bush and the pope then strolled through the gardens to see the Lourdes Grotto, which was donated to Pope Leo XIII at the turn of the century by French Catholics. Bush and Benedict sat in wooden patio-style chairs admiring the grotto as Mrs. Bush rejoined them.

Source: Associated Press / Evan Vucci
A statement by the Vatican after Bush's visit said that the pope had "renewed his gratitude for the warm and special reception he received in the United States of America and at the White House in April, and for the commitment in defense of the fundamental moral values." The two leaders talked about relations between the U.S. and Europe, globalization, the world food crisis and international trade, among other topics, the Vatican said.

Spoken Words of Pope Benedict XVI during his Apostolic Visit to the United States April 15-20, 2008

• Interview of the Holy Father during the flight to the United States of America (April 15, 2008)
• Welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington (April 16, 2008)
• Joint declaration between the Holy See and the Office of the President of the United States of America released at the end of the private meeting between the Holy Father Benedict XVI and U.S. President George W. Bush (April 16, 2008)
• Celebration of Vespers and meeting with the Bishops of the United States of America at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington (April 16, 2008)
• Responses of Benedict XVI to the questions posed by the American Bishops (April 16, 2008)
• Homily during the celebration of Holy Mass at the Washington Nationals Stadium (April 17, 2008)
• Meeting with Catholic educators at the Conference Hall of the Catholic University of America in Washington (April 17, 2008)
• Meeting with the representatives of other religions at the “Rotunda” Hall of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center of Washington (April 17, 2008)
• Meeting with representatives of the Jewish community in Washington D.C. (April 17, 2008)
• Message to the Jewish community on the occasion of the feast of Pesah (April 17, 2008)
• Address of the Holy Father to the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization in New York (April 18, 2008)
• Greetings to the staff and the personnel of the United Nations in New York (April 18, 2008)
• Meeting with representatives of the Jewish community at Park East Synagogue in New York (April 18, 2008)
• Ecumenical Prayer Service at St Joseph's Parish in New York (April 18, 2008)
• Homily during the celebration of a Votive Mass for the Universal Church with priests, men and women religious in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York (April 19, 2008)
• Meeting with young people having disabilities at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, New York (April 19, 2008
• Meeting with young people and seminarians at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, New York (April 19, 2008)
• Prayer during the visit to Ground Zero in New York (April 20, 2008)
• Homily during the celebration of Holy Mass at New York's Yankee Stadium (April 20, 2008)
• Farewell ceremony at John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport of New York (April 20, 2008)

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Collected speeches and homilies in PDF Document - should you wish to print and read offline. (Courtesy of the blog Disputations).