Pope In U.S. For Historic Visit

President Bush Greets Benedict XVI For His First Papal Visit To The United States

(CBS/AP)  Pope Benedict XVI stepped onto U.S. soil for the time as pontiff Tuesday, arriving to a presidential handshake and wild cheering only hours after he admitted that he is "deeply ashamed" of the clergy sex abuse scandal that has devastated the American church.

Benedict gave hundreds of spectators a two-handed wave as he stepped off a special Alitalia airliner that brought him from Rome. Students from a local Catholic school screamed ecstatically when they saw the pope, who shook hands warmly with President Bush, first lady Laura Bush and their daughter Jenna on the tarmac.

Hundreds of onlookers, some from local Roman Catholic parishes, clapped and shouted as they watched the scene from nearby bleachers.

Benedict tackled the most painful issue facing the U.S. Catholic Church - clergy sex abuse - on his flight to America. The U.S. church has paid out $2 billion in abuse costs since 1950, most of that in just the last six years.

Seemingly in a nod to his American flock, the pope spoke in English as he answered questions submitted in advance by reporters.

"It is a great suffering for the church in the United States and for the church in general and for me personally that this could happen," Benedict said. "It is difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betray in this way their mission ... to these children."

"I am deeply ashamed, and we will do what is possible so this cannot happen again in the future," the pope said.

Benedict pledged that pedophiles would not be priests in the Catholic Church.

"I do not wish to talk at this moment about homosexuality, but about pedophilia, which is another thing," he said.

"We will absolutely exclude pedophiles from the sacred ministry. It is more important to have good priests than many priests. We will do everything possible to heal this wound."

Gary Bergeron, who was molested by a priest in the 1970s in Lowell, Mass., called the comments a "step I've been looking for." Bergeron said he was disappointed that Benedict did not plan to visit the Archdiocese of Boston, the scene of a case that sparked the greater scandal, but urged the pontiff to meet with victims this week.

The pope's promise failed to mollify other advocates for abuse victims, however. They said the problem is not just molester priests, but bishops and other church authorities who have let errant clergymen continue to serve even after repeated allegations.

"It's easy and tempting to continually focus on the pedophile priests themselves," said Peter Isely, a board member of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "It's harder but crucial to focus on the broader problem - complicity in the rest of the church hierarchy."

Benedict's pilgrimage is the first trip by a pontiff to the United States since the Boston case in 2002 triggered a crisis that spread throughout the United States and beyond. Hundreds of new charges - many dating back decades - have surfaced each year since. There were 691 new accusations in 2007 alone, according to an annual report from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

As head of the Vatican agency that enforces adherence to Catholic doctrine, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was heavily involved in gaining Vatican approval for the reforms U.S. bishops proposed for the American church. The bishops have since released several reports analyzing the scandal and have pledged that all credibly accused priests will be pulled from public ministry.

Benedict described his pilgrimage as a journey to meet a "great people and a great church." He spoke about the American model of religious values within a system of separation of church and state.

Over the next six days, the pope will see for himself an American Roman Catholic Church in the midst of dramatic change.

Today there are approximately 17,000 fewer Catholic priests in the U.S. than there were in 1965, reports CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts. As a result, of the nearly 19,000 parishes nationwide, more than 3,200 are without a resident pastor. 800 parishes closed since 1995, and more than 1,200 parochial schools shut down since 2001.

President Bush made the unusual gesture of greeting Benedict at Andrews Air Force Base - the first time he has welcomed a foreign leader there. The two will meet again Wednesday, when a crowd of up to 12,000 is expected at the White House to greet Benedict on his 81st birthday.

Aides say he is in good health and the pope seemed spry as he stepped energetically off the plane Tuesday.

Benedict said he will discuss immigration with Bush, including the difficulties of families who are separated by immigration.

While the pope and Bush differ on such major issues on the Iraq war, capital punishment and the U.S. embargo against Cuba, they do find common ground in opposing abortion, gay marriage and embryonic stem cell research.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said she wouldn't rule out the sex abuse coming up in conversation between the pope and the president, but added that it's not necessarily one of Bush's top priorities in his meeting with Benedict.

Perino said the two leaders would likely discuss human rights, religious tolerance and the fight against violent extremism. She downplayed their differences over Iraq.

Benedict "will hear from the president that America and the world need to hear his message, that God is love, that human life is sacred, that we all must be guided by common moral law, and that we have responsibilities to care for our brothers and sisters in need, at home and across the world," Perino said.

After making little headway in his efforts to rekindle the faith in his native Europe, the German-born Benedict is visiting a country where many of the 65 million Catholics are eager to hear what he says and get to know him. A poll released Sunday by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University found eight in 10 Catholics are somewhat or very satisfied with his leadership.

[johngoodnews]

Moral relativism--defined as no absolute right or wrong? How droll. It is telling that the Pope wishes to make moral relativism a theme of his visit: criticizing the very temporization that is the stock in trade of its own Curia which tacitly, at the very least, has involved itself with the marginalization of the Gospel of Mattew by lending its support to questioning its authenticity as an original work by Matthew, written by Matthew shortly after Christ''s death. Moral relativism, indeed.

[swwils]

He needs to take off for a Middle Eastern tour,and maybe talk with the leaders over their,not Jimmy Carter.Carter couldn''t do anything when Iran held us hostage for 400 plus days,so what can he do with Hamas.That is what a religious figure like the Pope is for.I noticed that he has more protection than any leader in the world,and he isn''t a Politician.

[honestabe8]

hungry: i agree. i don''t understand the whole "we are sinners in need of salvation" schtick. i know that many believe it, but it just seems like cultural self-loathing to me.

[displeased]

People that put him on a pedastol and worship him like he''''s some sort of Jesus-like figure are committing a "cardinal" sin. (no pun intended) :(
Posted by liberalbias1

Yeah really, nobody (dead or alive) is worthy of worship. The only worshiping that will save humans is to worship planet earth and the resources it provides.

[inventagod]

Joe Ratz and Dubya have so much in common...
They lead flocks of sheeple,
They both deserted their branches of military service,
Their administration likes little boys and toe-tappers,
They collect money, but don''t earn it,
They think they are royalty,
They think they talk to god...

[rushman71]

hungry1968: That''s your OPINION. The majority of us--in the millions upon millions--KNOW that He is the Son of God, who came down from Heaven, lived in the flesh, died for our sins (that includes yours, too) ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God.
Now I am not trying to thump you or anyone with a bible. That is not done by a true Christian. But when people like you go out of your way to insult, mock, deprive, etc., everything or anything that has to do with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, etc., shows how much lack of respect you have towards fellow people. Do we go out of our way to insult you? No. Your disbelief is your opinion. Keep it that way!!!

[displeased]

The majority of us--in the millions upon millions--KNOW that He is the Son of God, who came down from Heaven, lived in the flesh, died for our sins...
Posted by rushman71

The majority of the population once believed the world was flat. Your theory doesn''t guarantee accuracy or prove god in your form is the absolutely positively the one and only truth.

[rushman71]

The majority of the population once believed the world was flat. Your theory doesn''''t guarantee accuracy or prove god in your form is the absolutely positively the one and only truth.
Posted by Displeased

You really do need to retake History 101 again. And the topic that you are talking about is WAY in the past. What does that have to do this? Long before people started to believe that the world was "flat", there are a few entries in the bible that state that the world is round. This is thousands of years before those idiots claimed the world flat.

[honestabe8]

rushman: to my knowledge you do not go out of your way to insult non-believers. but you do accept what is (in my OPINION) a absurd concept that all are sinners in need of salvation. it seems to be nothing if not a vessel to convey guilt.

[displeased]

And the topic that you are talking about is WAY in the past. What does that have to do this?
Posted by rushman71

Our time will someday be in the past.

[repdemapart]

If the Pope is so irrelevant to the majority of the population specially those who don''t go to church,

THEN WHY ARE WE GETTING ALL THERE REACTIONS.

Whatever the Pope says IS NOT BIDING. YOU DON''T HAVE TO FOLLOW IT.

SO CHILL !!!

Your just ENVIOUS because ... IT DOEN''T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK. You are just stuck in blogs.

WHAT AN ENVIOUS PATHETIC CREEPS !!

[repdemapart]

Swwils-

You are so ignorant.. THE POPE WAS THERE...IN TURKEY, WHERE ALL THE RIOTS AND THREATS WERE.

[displeased]

Long before people started to believe that the world was "flat", there are a few entries in the bible that state that the world is round. This is thousands of years before those idiots claimed the world flat.
Posted by rushman71

2000 years from now people are going to look back and refer to us as idiots. They will be amazed with how the majority of the population worshiped mythical characters and how we weren''t smart enough to prevent an addiction to a non-renewable source of energy to crash our economy.

[repdemapart]

hungry1968-

Maybe JESUS was just a MAN. but he was ndefenitely nothing like you.

[repdemapart]

Displeased-

Wwe are all idiots BUT you ! Maybe we have to put you on a pedestal!

[gunownerdan]

Keep him away from little boys!

[lindaredtail]

liberalbias are you at it again? I was born and brought up a Catholic. I however do not accept the authority of this particular Pope because he was a Nazi. Thousands of Germans went to their deaths, prison and exile rather than capitulate to Adolph Hitler. Pope Benedict should have done the same. He is indeed a man in need of salvation. We all however have the right to believe or not believe. I hope today is going to remain a discussion and not descend into name calling.

[lindaredtail]

hungry1968 I agree with you that religion should not be jammed at anyone. Each person needs to make their own choice about what they believe or do not believe. The more archeologists learn the more we know that perhaps several of the books of the Bible were not written by whom it says they were. Revelations is another example of that. That does not mean that there is nothing good in them. I hope you have a good day and don''t let fanatics push your buttons. Moderation and reason are always the best route to take.

[byeneocons]

The Pope''s visit will probably go down as the greatest accomplishment of the Bush presidency.

[usmcvn2]

Keep him away from little boys!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by gunownerdan at 10:26 AM : Apr 15, 2008


ROFLMFAO!!! Praise JAYSUS!!! Can I git and RRRRMEN!!! Break out the snakes!!! PRAISE JAYSUS!!!

[rushman71]

hungry1968: And you ignored the fact about what I said on my not jamming the bible down your throat. That is not what I am here to do. It is not the Christian way. But when people who go out of their way to insult what I believe in, that makes me want to contradict what you have to say.

[displeased]

Wwe are all idiots BUT you ! Maybe we have to put you on a pedestal!
Posted by RepDemApart

No thanks. I''ve been on one. Didn''t care for it...

[extremophil]

You guys quit yelling at each other....cause here cooooome da Poop! He''s old and he''s mold and he wears a cool hat. Anyone who can go out in public dressed like dat without gettin beat up has got something goin for him.

[nwihoosier]

Peace and Love
Think you guys can manage that? Maybe not.
Hey redtail----a Nazi? He was a kid who got drafted and deserted. You have no clue.
Peace and Love even to the simple minds

[vet999999]

%u201CI am deeply ashamed and we will do what is possible so this cannot happen again in the future,%u201D

Since the pope has been in the church for at least 50 years, i would bet my last dollar that he had his go at the kids too...all he will do is make sure the abusers are protected.

[marcodele]

He is deeply ashamed of the pedophiles. Why is he not deeply ashamed of a hundred years of organized coverups at the highest level of the church?

[repdemapart]

Displeased -

c''mon! you can fool us but don''t fool yourself.

WAIT - maybe it did nor feel good noby worshipped you. Why am I not surprised.

I think you need professional help.

[lindaredtail]

nwihoosier I most certainly do have a clue. Pope Benedict was indeed a member of the Hitler youth. As an adult he was a member of the Nazi party. He was detained by American troops fleeing the battlefield. He was a Nazi. Get your facts straight. You don''t have a clue. And because you can forgive someone their wrongs, it doesn''t mean that they should become Pope. He should not be. That history should have excluded him. Pope John Paul II did not join the Nazis though he could have. He opposed them at every turn and even assisted Jews in escaping Poland. Many others perished rather than become Nazis. Pope Benedict had a choice. He chose as an adult to be a Nazi. Try doing some research. You might learn something.

[repdemapart]

Marcodele-

He is just pretending and pandering !!! HAPPY NOW !!!

[repdemapart]

I''m surprised by you all !! y''all talk so paasionate about someone you don''t follow nor have any relevance in your lives. you''re all probably not even currently catholic.

get a life !!!

[repdemapart]

YOU ARE JUST ALL ENVIOUS BECAUSE HE WEARS A RED PRADA SHOES !!! and he doesn''t even have to pay for it. IT''S GIVEN TO HIM.

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA.

[cfin5]

I''ll never ever be a catholic. I''m not a "protestant" to what God says, they are. Their problem is self inflicted and the solution should be quite obvious. Either turn the priests into eunuchs, or let them marry a wife. No further comment needed.

[repdemapart]

hungry1968-

don''t worry there''s 1 Billion more people who are happy thta JESUS is nothing like you.

you''re not alone in that happiness... BWAHAHAAH

[repdemapart]

cfin5-

whatever floats yor boat. FORTUNATELY, Catholics and protestants will never be like you.

[cpaide]

"Benedict XVI Vows To Eliminate Pedophiles From The Preisthood"

so he''s going to resign and go to jail?

[repdemapart]

Inventagod-

You sound so jealoused. One this is for you you will never have not even 1k followers.

HEHEHEHE... what a pity.

[lindaredtail]

RepDemApart I was a practicing Catholic until he was raised to the papacy. I was unable to accept him as my spiritual leader.

[cpaide]

if he does resign as pope, there is an opening for cult leader there in texas, so maybe this will work out after all.

[repdemapart]

cpaide -

yes, he will and fondlle you!

[getcentered]

Does God exist? I don''t know......
I%u2019m not atheist, just comfortably undecided.

It%u2019s funny to me how people would rather accept an easy answer for questions about our existence. I think it''s kind of lazy and self-righteous, but more and more these days I see people wanting the easy answers for everything.

I believe in God but I do not try and assume I know what it is.

Even our holidays like Christmas; our children connect the giving of presents to the birth of Jesus. At a time when their minds are most susceptible to influence, we tell them, the reason they get what they want is because of some God. My mom celebrated Christmas every year with tree and lights, but never connected the events to something chimerical. For her, GOD is LOVE and the best she could do was give LOVE to us so when we went out into the world we could understand it and pass it on.

Religions are the political systems of the past.
Just like TIME, GODS are man made.

Deep down in every one of us IS a philosopher.
We can predict our own deaths and we hope to predict what happens afterward.

Our society has grown ignorant to the fact that the Christian God is MYTH, just like the Greek Gods and Egyptian Gods.

The concept of GOD today is mostly a politically exploitable inveterate of society which distracts us from using our MOST POWERFUL philosophical minds.

Get back to being a philosopher.
Philosophical independence is true liberty.

[repdemapart]

cpaide-

probably and you will be the first recruit!

[repdemapart]

getcentered-

you will get a stroke one day. you think to much!

[getcentered]

"you will get a stroke one day."

Well thats a lovely thing to say.......

Thank you...I guess.........I''m a pretty mellow person..........but I do think allot.....

[repdemapart]

lindaredtail -

How convenient! I''m happy you found your peace.

But - how shallow is your faith if you left a practice because of the Pope?

Oh well.. I know i''m wrong but my sense is you probably failed a simple test of faith.

[cpaide]

"probably and you will be the first recruit!"
Posted by RepDemApart

i appreciate your concern and attempts to recruit me to your cause, but i have limited time and resources that have been devoted to a higher purpose. you keep trying though.

[repdemapart]

getcentered-

you don''t think a lot. OKAY !

You have the longest most boring comment in this blog.
But you told me I''m wrong so I''m Wrong and you RIGHT.. cool !!!

[getcentered]

RepDemApart

I didn''t say anyone was "wrong"....but I''m glad you read my post.......

I think it made you think........?

eh?

[repdemapart]

cpaide-

don''t worry yo already have enrolled youself in. CONGRATULATIONS !!! Mr. Founder!

[repdemapart]

getcentered-

i only read the 1st and last sentence and it bored me.

FAVOUR - Don''t flatter yourself at my expense. But sure if it will make you think and feel better..

I READ IT AND MADE ME THINK ... HAPPY NOW

[getcentered]

RepDemApart

Oh...you only read the first and last lines? You missed the whole middle? Here it is again:

I believe in God but I do not try and assume I know what it is.

Religions are the political systems of the past.
Just like TIME, GODS are man made.

Deep down in every one of us IS a philosopher.
We can predict our own deaths and we hope to predict what happens afterward.

Our society has grown ignorant to the fact that the Christian God is MYTH, just like the Greek Gods and Egyptian Gods.

The concept of GOD today is mostly a politically exploitable inveterate of society which distracts us from using our MOST POWERFUL philosophical minds.