Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Pope Benedict in the US: Day 1

The Holy Father has arrived in the US and is undoubtedly getting some rest. While it may have been late afternoon when Pope Benedict arrived in Washington DC, his body was telling him that it was after 10:00pm!!

He came down the steps in his usual sprint-like fashion. President Bush met him on the tarmak. If you missed the interview that Raymond Arroyo did with the President, you can read the transcript here, or choose an option on this page for viewing the video online (at least for now).

"ASHAMED"
Aside from the Pope's landing, news broke earlier today that the Holy Father had spoken on the sex scandal involving priests. Rocco Palmo has covered this at Whispers in the Loggia.

Zenit takes the right approach with this topic in the article - Pope: Good priests more important than many priests.

Zenit has some other good topics:
  • Benedit XVI gets unprecendented welcome
  • Bush to say nation open to Pope's message


    TOMORROW'S SCHEDULE

    From EWTN's coverage page:

    THE WHITE HOUSE
    Pope Benedict XVI is received by President and Mrs. Bush at a White House welcoming ceremony, followed by a private meeting between the President and the Pope, and the dignitaries of the two states.

    Wednesday, April 16, 10:00 AM
    Eastern Encore April 16, 2PM & 9PM.

    ADDRESS TO THE BISHOPS OF THE UNITED STATES
    Pope Benedict XVI gathers with the 350 bishops of the United States for a prayer service and address at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

    Wednesday, April 16, 5:00 PM Eastern
    Encore April 16, 11:30PM. April 17, 4AM.

    Hmmmmm.....you gotta wonder if any bishop appointments will be made at this address.

    WATCH EWTN
    The secular media has a habit of finding dissenting priests, theologians and nuns for "expert" opinion. There has been more favorable reporting than in the past, but I would encourage you to watch EWTN for the excellent commentary.

    The commentators are well chosen. Along with Raymond Arroyo, there is Rev. Richard Neuhaus of First Things Magazine, and Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the K of C. I have been impressed with Carl in the many times he has been on EWTN and he has a new book out called Civilization of Love.

    There has been some good dialogue and discussion. Of course, I'm catching it between radio as it happened, and now an encore airing at 8:00pm EST.

    If you don't have cable TV, you can watch it online.


    OTHER NOTES FROM THE WEB

Media Research Center - a watchdog group for media bias - has a running list of clearly idiotic, and not so atypical, moves on the part of secular media. Here are a few highlights:


ADDITIONAL PAPAL VISIT COVERAGE

I work tomorrow, and then I have choir at Grotto right after. I'm hoping to come home to set my recorder up for the 5:00pm EST address to the USCCB. That should be interesting.Since I won't be able to blog much, if anything tomorrow, please check out these fine resources for coverage, commentary and analyses, along with EWTN.


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