Skip to main content /WORLD
CNN.com /WORLD
*
EDITIONS:

MULTIMEDIA:

E-MAIL:
Subscribe to one of our news e-mail lists.
Enter your address:

SERVICES:
CNN Mobile

CNN WEB SITES:
CNN Websites

DISCUSSION:

SITE INFO:

CNN NETWORKS:
CNN International

TIME INC. SITES:

WEB SERVICES:

Transcript: President George W. Bush

President Bush is on his second European tour
President Bush is on his second European tour  


The text of the statement by President George W. Bush to Pope John Paul II:

Your Holiness, thank you so much.

Mrs. Bush and I are honoured to stand with you today. We are grateful for your welcome.

You have been to America many times, and spoken to vast crowds.

You have met with four American presidents before me, including my father.

In every visit, and every meeting -- including our meeting today -- you have reminded America that we have a special calling to promote justice, and to defend the weak and suffering of the world.

We remember your words, and we will always do our best to remember our calling.

 IN-DEPTH
bush Bush in Europe

  • Bush's European tour
  • On the issues
  • Q&A: Missile defence
  • Flash: Missile defence
  • News search
  • Video archive
  • Bush in Europe, Part I
  • Quickvote
  • Gallery: Bush visits Europe

  Transcripts
  • World Bank speech
  • Meeting with Blair
  • Meeting with Berlusconi
  • Bush statement to pope
  • Pope statement to Bush
  • Bush speech in Kosovo

  In-depth specials
  • G8 summit: Genoa 2001
  • Europe's view on Bush
  • Changing face of Europe
  • Climate change
  • TIME special report

 
MORE STORIES
Pope challenges Bush over embryos  
 

Since October of 1978, you have shown the world, not only "the splendour of truth," but the power of truth to overcome evil and redirect the course of history.

You have urged men and women of good will to take to their knees before God -- and to stand, unafraid, before tyrants.

And this has added greatly to the momentum of freedom in our time.

Where there is oppression, you speak of human rights. Where there is poverty, you speak of justice and hope.

Where there is ancient hatred, you defend and display a tolerance that reaches beyond every boundary of race and nation and belief.

Where there is great abundance, you remind us that wealth must be matched with compassion and moral purpose.

And always, to all, you have carried the Gospel of life, which welcomes the stranger and protects the weak and innocent.

Every nation, including my own, would benefit from hearing and heeding this message of conscience.

Above all, you have carried the message of the Gospel into 126 nations, and into the Third Millennium, always with courage and confidence.

You have brought the love of God into the lives of men. And that good news is needed in every nation and every age.

Thank you again, Your Holiness, for your kindness, and the honour of this meeting.






RELATED STORIES:
RELATED SITES:
• The Vatican
• The White House

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

WORLD TOP STORIES:

 Search   

Back to the top