All Blog Posts from Couric & Co.

Mark Knoller is a White House Correspondent for CBS News.

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From the moment he emerged from the Vatican Embassy this morning, he was beset by wishes of happy birthday.

Children across the street offered congratulations in song. Then, some kid bellowed “Happy Birthday, Pope,” Everyone seemed to know it was 81 years ago this day that he was born Joseph Alois Ratzinger in Bavaria, Germany.

“You’ve chosen to visit America on your birthday,” said President Bush at the start of his remarks formally welcoming Benedict to the White House.

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The pope is in the United States for an historic six-day visit.

Comparisons to John Paul II are inevitable … and it looks like Benedict's reception may not be quite as warm as his predecessor's. There is a shadow over Pope Benedict's tour, but it isn't just the memory of the charismatic John Paul.

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