Apr 15, 2008 11:25 pm US/Eastern
Pope Benedict XVI Arrives In United States
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
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It's a trip American Catholics have waited for years--the return of the Holy Father to the United States.
CBS
It's a trip American Catholics have waited for years--the return of the Holy Father to the United States.
History was in the making for the nation's Catholics in Prince George's County. Shepherd I, carrying Pope Benedict XVI, landed late Tuesday afternoon at Andrews Air Force Base.
He received an unprecedented welcome in the nation's capital to begin his first trip to the United States.
It was the first time President and Mrs. Bush traveled to Andrews Air Force Base to personally greet a foreign dignitary.
Children were overwhelmed with joy at the sight of the Pontiff when he arrived at the Vatican Embassy.
Even before his plane touched down, the Pope was reaching out to American Catholics on the well-publicized sex abuse scandal.
"It is difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betray in this way their mission to give healing, to give the love of God, to these children. We are deeply ashamed and we will do all that is possible that this cannot happen in the future," he said.
Benedict is the first Pope to visit the U.S. since the scandal, which has cost the church nearly $2 billion.
White House officials say the scandal may come up in his talks with the president Wednesday, but the two leaders are expected to focus on the war in Iraq, immigration and the fight against violent extremism. He'll be welcomed during a special ceremony on the White House lawn.
"I expect the president will go into some but not a lot of detail about areas where they have a shared commitment and shared values, such as human rights and individual dignity," said Dana Perino, White House spokesperson.
Keeping the Pope safe while he's in America is tops in the minds of many. More than a dozen Secret Service agents charged with protecting Pope Benedict XVI will shadow the Pope-Mobile along a short parade route.
"There's nothing that we can throw at these guys that we don't have a good plan in place for," said Jeffrey Irvine.
This is Benedict's first visit to the United States as the leader of the Catholic Church.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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