” ” According to a recent survey by Cavalieri di Colombo, "the Americans’ most widespread expectations for the Pope’s visit concern his speeches on religious and moral values", which speak of "God in everyday life". It was reported by Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Newsroom of the Holy See, in today’s "briefing" about the "details" of the Pope’s journey to the USA. April 15th will be the day of the flight, when, after a ten hours’ flight, the Pope will land at 4 pm at the Air Force One airport in Washington, where he will be received by the US president and by the "first lady" for s simple welcome meeting, then he will go to the Nunciature to rest. On April 16th, the day of the Pope’s 81st birthday, after private Mass in the Nunciature, Benedict XVI will go to the white House, where he will have a welcome ceremony and will visit the president, all together, as it often happens in the American protocol. "It will be a very solemn welcome ceremony", said Lombardi: "5 thousand people are expected to be in front of the White House"; the Pope’s entrance will be saluted by gunfire; the president’s and the Pope’s speeches will be held in the garden in front of the White House. (continued)
