SelectPlusPope Welcomes President at VaticanPope Welcomes President at VaticanThe Associated PressPresident Bush continues his week-long visit to Europe with a stop at the Vatican where Pope Benedict XVI to show off his gardens to the President. (June 13)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] [Notes:Bush arrives at Vatican]In what's being called a farewell European tour, President Bush is spending a week overseas. [Notes:Bush with Berlusconi] While on a visit to Italy, he met with Italian leaders [Notes:Bush at Vatican]before paying a visit to Pope Benedict.It's the third time the two have met - [Notes:file June 2007] the first was a year ago at the Vatican... [Notes:file April White House visit]then there was the Pope's April visit to the U.S. [Notes:vatican cutaway] A priest at the Vatican says that has some people in Rome wondering...SOT: Father John Wauck, Holy Cross University: "President Bush's show of affection for Benedict has provoked, both in the US and in Rome, some rumors about the possibility of him becoming a Catholic, perhaps like Tony Blair after his term finishes." [Notes:various of Pope and Bush in garden]The meeting took place in the gardens near St. John's Tower, instead of the Pope's private library. Officials say that's meant to show the Pope's appreciation for the lavish welcome he received in the US. [Notes:COVER WITH Garden shots] SOT: "in the same way that George Bush essentially threw a birthday party for the Pope in the garden of the White House, the Pope is saying today, 'now I'll show you my garden.'"The garden is a spot where only special guests are allowed...illustrating the close bond the two leaders have.SOT: "Bush has a special relationship with this Pope. He said in a public interview once that when he looks into the eyes of benedict XVI he sees God."A boys choir wrapped up the visit. Bush heads next to France where he will give a speech in Paris to highlight a rebound in trans-Atlantic relations before meeting with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy. ___ ___, The Associated Press
