VATICAN CITY - 15 April 2008 - 110 words
Pope
Benedict begins trip to USA
At midday today, the Holy Father departed from Rome's Fiumicino
airport. Following a flight of more than 7,000 kilometres, his
plane is due to land at 4 pm local time (10pm in Rome) at Andrews
Air Force Base near Washington DC. This is the Benedict XVI's
eighth apostolic trip outside Italy and his first to the U.S.A.
as Pope.
US President George W Bush and his wife Nancy will welcome the
Pope as he descends from his aircraft. No speeches are scheduled
for this first meeting and the welcome ceremony proper will take
place tomorrow at 10.30am local time (4.30pm in Rome) at the White
House, official residence of the US president.
After landing, Benedict XVI will travel by car to the apostolic
nunciature in Washington D.C where he will spend the rest of the
day.
Tomorrow, 16 April, is the Pope's 81st birthday, and Saturday
19 April, will mark the third anniversary of his election to the
pontifical throne.
Source: VIS
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