June 13, 2008
THE FIRST CATHOLIC PRESIDENT AND THE FIRST AMERICAN POPE:
George W Bush meets Pope amid claims he might convert to Catholicism (Malcolm Moore, 13/06/2008, Daily Telegraph)
George W Bush and Pope Benedict XVI have held an intimate meeting in Rome as rumours mounted in Italy that the president may follow in Tony Blair's footsteps and convert to Catholicism. [...]Posted by Orrin Judd at June 13, 2008 10:58 AMThe two men have grown increasingly close in the past two years, and Mr Bush was overheard whispering: "What an honour, what an honour, what an honour!" as he ascended the steps to the tower.
After a stroll through the Vatican gardens, the men listened to a recital by the choir of the Sistine Chapel. However, Mr Bush did not, as expected, kneel in prayer before the Grotto of the Madonna of Lourdes. It was thought that he may have prayed with the pope in private. Mr Bush prayed with Benedict in the Oval Office during the Papal visit to the US in April.
Several Italian newspapers cited Vatican sources suggesting that Mr Bush may be prepared to convert. One source told Il Foglio, an authoritative newspaper, that "Anything is possible, especially for a born-again Christian such as Bush."
If W talked to the Pope about going through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), I don't think the Pope would have told anyone.
Posted by: Mike Morley at June 13, 2008 1:57 PMOh, dear. We've got a live one folks.
Hey, and you can add the "Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk" to that reading list.
Posted by: Jim in Chicago at June 13, 2008 8:05 PMMike Morley:
You got the initials wrong, it's Repelling Converts In-Advertently.
Posted by: Matt Murphy at June 13, 2008 8:43 PM