US awaits Pope Benedict XVI's visit of renewal

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Washington laid on a grandiose welcome Tuesday for a visit by Pope Benedict XVI, who is aiming to renew the faith of American Catholics but also to touch on sensitive topics such as the Iraq war and predator priests.

A specially chartered Alitalia plane dubbed "Shepherd One" left Rome early Tuesday for Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, where the pope will be met by President George W. Bush in what the White House called an "unprecedented" gesture.

The official welcoming ceremony for Benedict will take place on Wednesday -- the pope's 81st birthday -- at the White House, where he will be given a 21-gun salute in front of a crowd of between 9,000 and 12,000.

Benedict will hold a mass for 48,000 in Washington Thursday before going to...