Pope Bendict XVI U.S. Papal Visit LIVE

Apr. 16, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Over 10,000 people were on hand as President George W. Bush formally welcomed Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) to the US in a ceremony held in the Rose Garden outside the White House on April 16.

The crowd-- believed to be the largest ever assembled at the White House for such a ceremony-- joined in singing "Happy Birthday" to the Holy Father, who turned 81 today. After a formal ceremony that included an exchange of talks and several musical presentations, the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" again as the Pope and the President made their way to the Oval Office for a private discussion.

In their speeches, both the Pope and the President alluded to the strength of religious belief in the US and the influence of natural law in the foundation of the American republic. Both men cited the Declaration of Independence, with its invocation of "the laws of Nature and of Nature's God."

President Bush, in his welcoming address, told the Pontiff that he had come to "a nation of prayer." He assured the Pope that "millions of Americans have been praying for your visit and millions will be praying with you this week."