Apr 14, 2008 7:10 pm US/Eastern
Washington Poised To Welcome Pope With Open Arms
WASHINGTON (CBS) ―
On Tuesday afternoon, Pope Benedict XVI will arrive in the United States for his first official visit here.
The pontiff will tour our nation's capital before making his way to the New York City area on Friday.
As many as 12,000 are expected at the White House, thousands at Catholic University and thousands along the Popemobile route. Law enforcement is ready, taking every possible step to protect the pope.
There was a parade in preparation on Monday, but in that instance the pope was being played by a U.S. Secret Service agent. The actual agents who will be on Pope Benedict's security detail trained near Washington.
At the Vatican, Pope Benedict prayed for his first U.S. visit, CBS station WCBS-TV in New York reports.
"I ask you all to pray for the success of my visit, which may be a time of spiritual renewal for all Americans," he said.
The pope plans to share a message of hope and encouragement to American Catholics who've been dealing for several years with priest shortages, shifting congregations and the aftermath of sexual abuse scandals.
"I don't want an apology, words are cheap," said Barbara Dorris, outreach director for the Survivors' Network of Those Abused By Priests. "I want actions. That's what I want, action."
The pope is expected to address the scandal at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
The pope's first stop will be the White House, where he will meet with President Bush on Wednesday, a day after his arrival. Throughout his six-day trip, the pope will meet the leaders of multiple religions, carrying on the work of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.
"I think he manifests a model of leadership," said Father J. Brian Bransfield of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "So on many perspectives, from many levels, the Holy Father's visit is very significant for Catholics and for all Americans."
At a time when the Catholic Church in America is struggling, many in Washington eagerly await the arrival of the pontiff.
"I think it's kind of cool he's coming," one student said.
A new poll says it's the younger and older Catholics that most closely follow the teachings of the church, leaving the more disenfranchised middle. The visit will look to change that and work to heal what many call an ailing church.
Here's a look at how the pontiff's D.C. trip will unfold:
* The Pope will arrive Tuesday afternoon at Andrews Air Force Base at 4 p.m.
President Bush will meet Pope Benedict's plane when it arrives. It's the first time the president has ever given a visiting leader the honor of picking him up at the airport.
There are no public events scheduled Tuesday night, but he will have a private dinner with President Bush at the White House.
* On Wednesday morning, President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will officially welcome the pontiff to the U.S. with a diplomatic reception on the south lawn of the White House.
The president and Holy Father will then move indoors for a private meeting, where they are expected to discuss peace in the Middle East as well as other troubled regions.
* At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Pope Benedict will address the U.S. bishops at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
* On Thursday morning, the pope will hold a public mass at the Washington Nationals' new ballpark.
As many as 46,000 people have been given tickets to attend the 10 a.m. mass.
* On Thursday evening, the pope will meet educators from Catholic University of America, which is the only higher education institution founded by U.S. bishops.
* At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, the pope will hold an interfaith meeting with leaders from the Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist and Hindu communities.
Roughly 200 religious leaders will discuss religious commonalities with the pope at the John Paul II Cultural Center.
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