Pope Benedict XVI will perform an encounter of biblical proportions today when he lands at Edwards Air Force Base today, and meets the President and his wife on his first visit to North America. The 80 year-old pontiff is really excited at this visit and is expecting lots of presents as he celebrates his 81st birthday whilst over there.
However he will not be going to The White House for a party, but will spend a few hours meeting Catholic bishops for prayer instead; not only for world peace, but no doubt, for lots of birthday presents too.
He is particularly looking forward to trying out a white Hummer 'Popemobile' that will take the Pontiff to hold a mass for almost 100,000 Catholics at new Nationals Park stadium in DC, and the Yankee Stadium in New York during his six-day tour.
A Vatican Official told In Seine news;
"His Holiness is aware that the US president is extremely eager to meet him but will only have time to meet him in the first few hours of his short visit. We have a packed itinary which has taken months of planning! The Catholic cardinals are going to take him to Disneyland for his birthday (which s supposed to be a surprise!) and experience a McDonald's Big Mac."
He added:
"His Holiness has explained that for most of his life he has wanted to feel like Moses did by meeting a 'burning' Bush, but hopes that this encounter will not result in him ending up in the wilderness for 40 years."
