It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the middle of a Presidential campaign:
BALTIMORE, Maryland (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI will make his first visit to the United States as pontiff next year, and plans to visit the White House, ground zero and speak at the United Nations, the Vatican’s ambassador said Monday.
Benedict will travel to Washington and New York from April 15 to 20, speak at the United Nations on April 18 and visit ground zero on the final day of his trip, Archbishop Pietro Sambi said.
The pope will visit the site of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York to show “solidarity with those who have died, with their families and with all those who wish an end of violence and in the search of peace,” Sambi said.
The visit will take place on the third anniversary of Benedict’s election to succeed Pope John Paul II, who died in April 2005.
The “National” Stadium referred to is, of course, the new ballpark being built for the Washington Nationals
