Wednesday, April 16, 2008

• 10:30 a.m. - The Holy Father meets with President Bush and the First Lady on the south lawn of the White House.
• 5:30 p.m. - Private prayer service and meeting with the 350 bishops of the United States at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

See Itinerary for more details

Children Welcome Pope on Lawn of Apostolic Nunciature in Washington

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As the black limousine in which Pope Benedict XVI was riding pulled up in front of the apostolic nunciature in Washington April 15, a crowd of schoolchildren stood on the lawn waiting to greet the pope.

After getting out of the car, Pope Benedict stood next to the papal nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, and stretched his arms toward the children. They waved small papal flags and yelled "Happy birthday!" to him.

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Mum's the Word about Menu for Pope's 81st Birthday Celebration

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The tightest of security surrounded the meals being prepared for Pope Benedict XVI during his April 15-20 U.S. visit. Even the menus were being kept secret.

"We were told by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, nuncio to the United States, to not reveal the menus, the budgets or even the ingredients of dishes we're preparing," said Franco Nuschese, the owner of Cafe Milano, an Italian restaurant in the Georgetown section of Washington.

Nuschese, executive chef Fabio Salvatore and 23 other professionals were responsible for Pope Benedict's 81st birthday lunch April 16 at the Vatican Embassy, or nunciature, in Washington.

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Nuncio Says Pope Comes to Strengthen Faith, Hope, Love of U.S. Church

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- When Pope Benedict XVI celebrates his first papal Mass in the United States, it will be a "familial" gathering at the apostolic nunciature in Washington, said the Vatican ambassador to the United States, Italian Archbishop Pietro Sambi.

The pontiff also will celebrate his 81st birthday that day, April 16.

Archbishop Sambi said the approximately 30 staff members at the nunciature are "all excited to have this morning" with the pope.

CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec - Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, talks with Catholic News Service about the upcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI.

Tiny T-Shirt for a Teddy Bear Pays Tribute to Pope's U.S. Visit

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The first officially sanctioned Washington souvenir for Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit to the United States is a tiny T-shirt for a teddy bear.

The white T-shirt, imprinted with the "Christ Our Hope" logo created for the papal trip, will be sold only at six Washington-area Build-A-Bear Workshop stores, where customers can design and stuff their own teddy bears.

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EVENTS FOR 4.16.2008

April 16, 2008 - 6:30 p.m.
Exchange with the U.S. Bishops
Windows media format

April 16, 2008 - 6 p.m.
Papal Address to U.S. Bishops
Windows media format

April 16, 2008 - 5:30 p.m.
Evening Prayers at the Basilica
Windows media format

April 16, 2008 - 5 p.m.
Greeting at the Basilica
Windows media format

April 16, 2008 - 12:05 p.m.
Motorcade from the White House
Windows media format

April 16, 2008 - 10:15 a.m.
Meeting with President Bush
Windows media format

SPEECHES FOR 4.16.2008