The story

A smiling Pope Benedict XVI arrived in the United States on Tuesday afternoon to start the six-day, two-city journey that will take him from the White House to the halls of the United Nations.

The papal plane, Shepherd 1, touched down at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to cheers from a crowd of invited guests gathered for the event.

After he stepped off the plane, Benedict did not kiss the ground, as his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, often did during visits. Read full article »

CNN's Jeanne Meserve, Jim Spellman and Mary Snow contributed to this report.

All About Pope Benedict XVIPope John Paul IIThe Roman Catholic Church

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