VIS in the Pope’s USA visit

Here is an item from VIS:

BENEDICT XVI BEGINS HIS APOSTOLIC TRIP TO THE U.S.A.

VATICAN CITY, 15 APR 2008 (VIS) – 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 p.m. local time [EDT] (10 p.m. in Rome) at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington D.C. This is the Benedict XVI’s eighth apostolic trip outside Italy and his first to the U.S.A. as Pope.

  U.S. President George W. Bush and his wife Nancy [ehem… Laura]  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 10.30 a.m. local time (4.30 p.m. in Rome) at the White House, official residence of the U.S. president.  [From what I understand, since this will be at Andrews AF Base, the Archbishop of the Military Archdiocese is actually the local ordinary at that venue.]

  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.