I, for one as a Catholic, would be very moved, but not surprised if at some point he did convert to Catholicism; nor disappointed if he didn't. He is a man of very deep and abiding unashamed faith. God bless him on his walk and for the model of moral strength, Christian decency and intrepidity he is and has shown the world. God bless Benedict XVI. This special honor he extended Pres. Bush speaks much about their mutual respect and admiration.
What glorious gardens.
Pope Benedict XVI waits for U.S. President George W. Bush for a meeting in the medieval St John's Tower in the Vatican Gardens June 13, 2008. Pope Benedict gave Bush an unprecedented welcome in the tranquility of the Vatican Gardens on Friday before the U.S. president resumed his campaign to rally European support for sanctions against Iran.
U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and Pope Benedict XVI view the gardens of the Lourdes Grotto from the medieval St John's Tower at the Vatican June 13, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush (R) speaks with Pope Benedict XVI during a meeting in the medieval St John's Tower at the Vatican June 13, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI receives a framed picture from U.S. President George W. Bush, centre,of them walking along the White House colonnade on their way to the Oval Office in April, during their meeting at the Vatican Friday, June 13, 2008. The pontiff gave President Bush a rare peek of the Vatican Gardens, a spot where popes pray privately and only special guests are allowed to stroll. At left U.S. First Lady Laura Bush.
US President George W. Bush receives a picture from Pope Benedict XVI after a tete-a-tete in the medieval St John's Tower in the Vatican Gardens. Bush was treated on Friday to a "special protocol" audience with Pope Benedict XVI, who was returning the hospitality he enjoyed at the White House in April.
Pope Benedict XVI, left, and U.S .President George W. Bush walk in the Vatican Gardens at the end of their meeting at the Vatican Friday, June 13, 2001. The pontiff gave President Bush a rare peek of the Vatican Gardens, a spot where popes pray privately and only special guests are allowed to stroll.
U.S. President George W. Bush (R) walks through the gardens of the Vatican to the Lourdes Grotto alongside Pope Benedict XVI, June 13, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush and Laura Bush are shown the Lourdes Grotto by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican June 13, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush (R), Pope Benedict XVI and first lady Laura Bush applaud a boy's choir as they visit the Lourdes Grotto at the Vatican June 13, 2008.
The Lourdes Grotto is seen in the Vatican June 13, 2008, before a visit to the site by U.S. President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI.
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“How a Non-Catholic respectfully communes at Mass”
“This is how you do it…”
Thus says from my Li’l Bro Thom (no Bush-lover, he) who very much appreciated seeing President Bush not receive communion while attending a Catholic mass.
Non-Catholics and Catholics who have not yet gone through the process of formally receiving the sacrament of reconciliation and their first communion, but who wish to “participate” in that part of the Mass are invited to process to the minister dispensing the Holy Eucharist with their hands crossed upon their chest (not a humiliation, but a practical measure, so that there may be no confusion on the priest’s part that they are NOT receiving the Eucharist), whereupon the priest will simply touch his hand to their head and ask God’s blessing upon them.
Here we see President and Mrs. Bush doing it the way we ask it to be done, and believe me we surely appreciate and honor their respectfulness.
That “arrogant” president, Bush, did Catholics the world over honor when he respected our ways.
Henry Hager and Jenna Bush exchange vows at the altar (Texas limestone, given by Pres. Bush) Saturday, May 10, 2008, during their wedding ceremony at Prairie Chapel Ranch near Crawford, Texas.
"Some dads just cut a check for their daughter’s wedding. President Bush plopped down a permanent limestone altar, complete with a cross, on his Crawford, Texas, ranch.
“That's where she's going to get married, right in front of this Texas limestone altar with a cross on it -- by our lake,” Bush revealed this morning in an interview with “Good Morning America’s” Robin Roberts.