Yes, President Bush clearly looked moved, as he did at Reagan's funeral. It is very touching.
"Keeping in mind I speak as a lifelong Catholic so no disrespect is meant, but how can you walk through St.Peter's and not want to be one (if only for a moment)?"
Oh I couldn't agree more. I was raised Presbyterian but visited St. Peter's when I was 18. I don't think I have ever seen anything (man-made) that is so beautiful, so moving. The Sistine Chapel, the Pieta.... simply unforgettable.
I also saw the Pope in person, in Denver when he visited for World Youth Day. I saw him only for a moment, when he got out of his helicopter, but when he blessed the crowd, people began crying and praying and a chill swept down my back. You truly felt you were in the presence of a holy person. That too, is an unforgettable moment for me.
I was nearby that weekend guarding small arms ammo. There was some kind of pro abort rally in CO Springs that weekend and many rumors of potential trouble. Turned out the biggest need was for water buffalo's.