Pope Benedict XVI will meet President George W Bush for talks on promoting religious liberty and advancing Middle East peace when he makes his first trip to the United States as the Roman Catholic pontiff, the White House said today.
The Pope, who is visiting Washington and New York in April, will meet with Mr Bush on April 16th, the day after his arrival on a six-day trip that includes meetings with US Catholic and other religious leaders as well as a speech at the United Nations.
Mr Bush and Pope Benedict, who will be the first pontiff to visit the White House since 1979, will discuss "their common commitment to the importance of faith and reason in reaching shared goals," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.
"These goals include advancing peace throughout the Middle East and other troubled regions, promoting inter-faith understanding, and strengthening human rights and freedom, especially religious liberty, around the world," she said.