ROME
(CNS) —
Pope Benedict XVI, pictured here flanked by Italy's outgoing Prime Minister Romano Prodi, right, waves before boarding a plane at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport today. He leaves for his pastoral visit to the United States where he will preside over 3 widely anticipated masses and meet with many religious leaders. The pope's Alitalia flight dubbed “Shepherd One," is scheduled to arrive at 4 p.m. Upon his arrival he will be greeted by President Bush as well as several Church officials and several hundred guests.
CD
(CNS/Reuters)
