[…] The 25-minute live interview was dedicated to various aspects of the U.S.-Holy See relationship, with specific focus on Pope Benedict's April 15 - 20 trip to the U.S.

[…] Media interest in Pope Benedict's visit to the United States gave Ambassador Glendon a rare opportunity to talk with a global audience about the U.S.-Holy See diplomatic relationship – founded on a common commitment to human dignity. She used a series of TV, newspaper and radio interviews to provide an informed and thoughtful perspective to the Papal visit, while underscoring our shared vision of the centrality of human rights and religious freedom.

[…] U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Mary Ann Glendon joined U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilizad as Pope Benedict XVI addressed representatives to the world body from 192 countries. Upon arrival, the Pope --accompanied by H.E. Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations -- met with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

[…] His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI touched down at Washington’s Andrews Air Force Base on Tuesday, April 15, to begin his first visit to the United States as pontiff. President George W. Bush made some history at the same time, becoming the first U.S. president to greet a dignitary of any kind at the base. The President, joined by Mrs. Bush and their daughter, Jenna, and U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Mary Ann Glendon, took part in an unprecedented greeting ceremony complete with military honor guards and brass bands.

[…] Credo che la ragione di questo stia nel ri­spetto con cui la diplomazia della Santa Se­de è considerata praticamente da ogni na­zione nel mondo. La domanda a questo punto potrebbe essere: ma perché è così ri­spettata? E la risposta, secondo me, sta nel fatto che, giorno dopo giorno, in tutte le se­di diplomatiche la voce della Santa Sede tenta di mantenere la persona umana al centro di ogni preoccupazione.

[…] An essential element of strong friendship is ongoing conversation – a dialogue – based on mutual respect, understanding and trust. This is particularly true for people of faith. The United States, in its desire to be a partner in interfaith dialogue, is working to amplify the many voices speaking out against the misuse of religion to promote terrorist violence and to support the efforts of those who are striving for greater interfaith understanding. We are encouraging conversations among cultures.

[…] It’s a great pleasure to be back in Rome, a city that has long been like a second home to me. And it is a special pleasure to be here as I prepare to present my credentials to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. I might add, on a personal note, that I am also happy at the prospect of being in the same city with my eldest daughter and three of my six grandchildren. President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have honored me with a great responsibility – one for which I am deeply grateful.

[…] In light of those remarks, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Francis Rooney said “priorities of the Holy See and the United States line up. We both place great importance on stopping the spread of terrorism and violence, aiding Christians who are under threat in many parts of the world today, and seeing an end to poverty and hunger which plague so much of Africa.”

[…] “What Youth Have to Say about Inter-Faith Dialogue” was the theme of an informal conversation between Citizen Dialogue Program participants Zeenat Rahman and Aalaa Abuzaakouk and fifteen students hosted by the Catholic Lay Centre in Rome. The dialogue, organized by U.S. Embassy Vatican and U.S. Embassy Rome, included Muslim and Christian students attending Pontifical universities in Rome, as well as a group of local Muslim high school students.

[…] In every corner of the globe people are crying out to gain the most fundamental of all rights: the right to be free. Yet on Dec. 2, International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, there will be millions whose voices we will not hear. They are the victims of human trafficking -- about 80% of them female, and up to half of them minors. They long to escape a life of captivity, literally to break the chains that imprison them in a world of forced labor or sexual exploitation.

[…] Dr. Johnston led the seven year study that produced the book Religion: The Missing Dimension of Statecraft, published in 1994. The significant world-wide receptivity to this book, including its incorporation into university and professional curricula, demonstrated the need for a focused and highly leveraged organization to address identity-based conflicts that exceed the grasp of traditional diplomacy by incorporating religion as part of the solution.

[…] The liturgical celebration reflected the diversity of Catholic heritages and sensibilities representative of the Archdiocese of Washington, where the Mass was held. Music composed in the 40 years since the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council was included, as were ancient Latin texts set to chant. A musical highlight was the appearance of opera star Placido Domingo who sang the opening phrase of "Panis Angelicus."

[…] Holy Father, Laura and I are privileged to have you here at the White House. We welcome you with the ancient words commended by Saint Augustine: "Pax Tecum." Peace be with you. You've chosen to visit America on your birthday. Well, birthdays are traditionally spent with close friends, so our entire nation is moved and honored that you've decided to share this special day with us. We wish you much health and happiness -- today and for many years to come.

[…] President Bush, on behalf of all Americans, welcomed the Holy Father, wished him a happy birthday, and thanked him for the spiritual and moral guidance, which he offers to the whole human family. The President wished the Pope every success in his Apostolic Journey and in his address at the United Nations, and expressed appreciation for the Pope's upcoming visit to "Ground Zero" in New York.

[…] Tickets to the two public Masses the pope will celebrate were swept up quickly by people eager to see and hear the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Requests for tickets for the Washington Mass at the new Nationals baseball stadium -- which opened March 30 -- numbered more than 150,000 for the 46,000 available spaces. And more than 200,000 applied for the 57,000 available seats in Yankee Stadium in New York.

[…] A while ago I announced that I would be naming a Presidential Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Conference, and I am pleased to announce it's Sada Cumber. He's a very successful businessman, a person who knows the Islamic world, and has agreed to serve in that capacity.

[…] President and Mrs. Bush will welcome His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the White House on April 16, 2008, during his first visit to the United States as Pope. The President and the Holy Father will continue discussions, which they began during the President’s visit to the Vatican in June 2007, on their common commitment to the importance of faith and reason in reaching shared goals.

[…] President Bush, meeting with Sant'Egidio in June of last year, called the organization a "part of an international army of compassion." The United States highly values its partnership with Sant'Egidio as part of our common commitment to helping the poor, feeding the hungry and eradicating disease. We support Sant'Egidio's DREAM Project that addresses HIV/AIDS by bringing vital anti-retroviral drugs to the poor and marginalized in several African countries.

[…] Thanks for having us. Listen, Laura and I are thrilled to be with you. Proud to be with the Mayor and Councilman Jack Evans. We appreciate very much the Serve D.C. that is working to inspire volunteerism, and I want to thank this beautiful library for hosting us. I just got a couple of comments I want to say. First of all, Martin Luther King Day means two things to me. One is the opportunity to renew our deep desire for America to be a land of promise for everybody, a land of justice, and a land of opportunity.

[…] In the brief time Dr. King walked upon this earth, he devoted his life to strengthening the content of the American character and called on our Nation to live up to its founding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all its citizens. Dr. King's faith in the Almighty gave him the courage to confront discrimination and segregation, and he preached that all the powers of evil are ultimately no match for even one individual armed with eternal truths.

[…] During Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world reflect on Abraham's unwavering faith and his trust in God when asked to sacrifice his son. These four days are a time for Muslims to honor Abraham's obedience by celebrating with family and friends and showing gratitude for the many blessings bestowed by God. This holiday also helps ensure the important values of compassion and devotion are passed on to future generations.

[…] On Wednesday, November 21, 2007, Ambassador Francis Rooney hosted a reception in honor of Catholic news editors visiting Rome for consultations with several Vatican offices. Roughly thirty visiting editors of Catholic publications based in the United States attended, as did a number of journalists resident in Rome.