George W Bush meets Pope amid claims he might convert to Catholicism

By Malcolm Moore in Rome
Last updated: 9:20 PM BST 13/06/2008

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.

The two men spoke for half an hour in the 12th century Tower of St John,
a private area in the Vatican gardens which is used by the pope for
private reflection.

The usual protocol for heads-of-state is a meeting in the pope's library
in the Apostolic Palace, but a spokesman for the Vatican said Benedict
wanted to reward Mr Bush for the "warmth" of his reception at the White
House earlier this year.

The 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."

He added that while the Holy See deplored the war in Iraq, "on ethical
matters he has always had a line that is practically identical to that
of the Vatican." Mr Bush has spoken out against gay marriage, abortion
and stem cell research. He proposed amending the US constitution to
"fully protect marriage" as the "union of man and woman as husband and
wife".

He has repeatedly made clear his admiration for Benedict and has even
claimed to have read some of the pope's theological books.

A source close to the Vatican said that Mr Bush was the most
"Catholic-minded" president since John F Kennedy, who famously played
down his Catholicism. Mr Bush belongs to a Methodist church in Texas and
prays at an Episcopal church in Washington.

However, George William Rutler, a New York-based priest who is close to
the president, was quoted by the Washington Post earlier this year
saying that Mr Bush "is not unaware of how evangelism, by comparison
with Catholicism, may seem more limited both theologically and
historically".

Mr Bush has filled the White House with Catholic speech-writers and
consultants and is also thought to have asked a Catholic priest to bless
the West Wing.

Before he became president, Karl Rove, his former political adviser,
invited Catholic intellectuals to Texas to lecture the candidate on the
church's teachings. Mr Bush appointed the Catholic judges Samuel Alito
and John Roberts to the Supreme Court.

However, it is thought unlikely that Mr Bush would convert until after
he has left office. Jeb Bush, the president's brother, has already
converted to Catholicism.

Catholics have noted that during the contested election in 2000, Jeb
Bush travelled to Mexico and prayed to the icon of Our Lady of
Guadelupe. His victory was announced by the Supreme Court on December
12, the feast day of the Lady of Guadelupe.

Story from Telegraph News:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2122733/George-W-Bush-meets-Pope-amid-claims-he-might-convert-to-Catholicism.html