Catholic Fire

Following their private meeting in the Oval Office today, a joint communique was released by President Bush and Pope Benedict. Full text: His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush met today in the Oval Office of the White House. President Bush, on behalf of all Americans, welcomed the Holy Father, wished him a happy birthday, and thanked him for the spiritual and moral guidance, which he offers to the whole human family. The President wished the Pope every success in his Apostolic Journey and in his address at the United Nations, and expressed appreciation for the Pope’s upcoming visit to “Ground Zero” in New York. During their meeting, the Holy Father and the President discussed a number of topics of common interest to the Holy See and the United States of America, including moral and religious considerations to which both parties are committed: the respect of the dignity of the human person; the defense and promotion of life, matrimony and the family; the education ...

The Holy Father has arrived! The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, is in the United States. He arrived at 3: 58PM EST today on his first papal journey to the U.S. He was greeted off the plane by President Bush, first lady Laura Bush and their daughter, Jenna. The Holy Father walked briskly down the stairs (in his red Prada shoes) waving, as he came off the plane and shook hands with President Bush and his family. The Holy Father also greeted Mary Ann Glendon, US ambassador to the Vatican, and other state and church dignitaries. There were 5,000 military families assembled on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force base awaiting his arrival who cheered him as he waved to them. Both the Holy Father and Bush were grinning and seemed delighted to be in one another's company as they walked together. As the Holy Father walked toward his limousine, the young people sang "Happy Birthday". (Tomorrow is his 81st birthday.) He appeared to be both touched and pleased. This is the first time in...

Photo Source: Annunciations "We didn't talk about just war," Bush said."He was concerned that the society that was evolving would not tolerate the Christian religion. ... He's worrisome about the Christians inside Iraq being mistreated by the Muslim majority." Bush said his meeting with the pope, in which the president stressed his record in fighting AIDS and supporting other humanitarian causes, was a "moving experience." "I was talking to a very smart, loving man," Bush said. Source

The motu proprio allowing broader use of the Latin liturgy has been the subject of anticipation by the faithful for several months now. CWN reports today that in an interview with the Italian daily Avvenire, Cardinal Bertone revealed: "I think we won't have to wait much longer to see it published." The cardinal did not offer a specific date for the release of the document. He did, however, confirm that the motu proprio will be accompanied by a letter in which Pope Benedict will explain his reasons for encouraging the use of the 1962 Missal. Cardinal Bertone emphasized that the Pope has taken a direct personal interest in this initiative, and hopes for a "serene reception" of the document. During the same interview with Avvenire, the Secretary of State spoke about the Pope's scheduled meeting with US President George W. Bush, saying that the war in Iraq would be on the agenda, along with issues involving the dignity of human life, such as abortion and stem...

President Bush has declared tomorrow, May 3, as the 56th National Day of Prayer. This year's theme is "America Unite in Prayer," and will begin at 1:16pm EST in Washington, D.C. with music, celebrations and remembrances throughout the country. To learn more about the activities in your area, go here. LifesiteNews.com also reports on this event here. I will be spending my prayer time in Eucharistic Adoration and will be praying especially for the renewal of the culture of life in our country, for an end to sins against human life, including contraception, abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and cloning. I will also be praying for our President and legislators to stand up for life and to support human life through legislation and their own personal witness by the way they live their lives. I pray that they will testify to the Truth.