Bush Looking Forward to Meeting With the Pope

From Zenit:

WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 28, 2004 (Zenit.org).- President George Bush says he will be all ears when he meets John Paul II in the Vatican next week, according to an interview in the magazine Christianity Today.

Bush, who is visiting Rome to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its liberation by the Allies during World War II, asked for a special visit with the Pope. This will be the third time that the two leaders have met.

Asked if he had a particular message for the Pope, Bush said, 'No. I'm there to listen. I will respond. If I would even dare give him a message it would be, 'Hold the line.''

Bush, a Methodist, told the magazine that he has been in awe when meeting with John Paul II.

'He is a strong man,' the U.S. president said. 'He's got a huge presence and it's an honor to be with him. It truly is.'

'He'll have something to say,' Bush added. 'Believe me, he'll use this as an opportunity to talk about a world problem or an issue, and he'll do it in a loving way. I mean he's the kind of person that makes you feel good.'