The first papal visit of Pope Benedict to the United States and his meeting President George W Bush at the White House as well as US Roman Catholic bishops at a Washington basilica on Wednesday 16 April will be one grand occasion. The day is extra-special as it also marks the 81st birthday of the Pope. Over 9,000 people are expected to be present in the ceremony at the White House, making it amongst the largest arrival ceremonies ever convened here.

 

When Pope Benedict meets the U.S. bishops at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, it is expected that he may discuss the scandal pertaining to sexual abuse of children by priests. After this scandal came to light, the Pope remarked that it left him ‘deeply ashamed.’ The scandal came to light in 2002 and has since then, badly stained the Church's image apart from causing great dissatisfaction among American Catholics.