Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
President Bush at Vatican
Aired June 04, 2004 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to you from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Carol Costello. Let me bring you up-to-date now.
President Bush and the first lady are meeting Pope John Paul in Vatican City right now. The president is hoping his European visit will lead to more support for the rehabilitation of Iraq.
There is another resignation expected today at the CIA. Spy master James Tavock (ph), he's the guy in charge of covert operations, is expected to resign. As you know, CIA Director George Tenet announced his resignation on Thursday.
In money news, Martha Stewart's company plans to expand its board of directors from five to nine. The new candidates for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia are prominent media and marketing executives.
In sports, L.A. Dodgers center fielder Milton Bradley has been suspended for four games. Bradley was thrown out of Tuesdays' game with Milwaukee after throwing that tantrum, and a bunch of other stuff, too. Manager Jim Tracy (ph) was also suspended, but just for one game.
In culture, former President Bill Clinton is on the road. Today is the second day of a book tour promoting his memoir, "My Life." It's out June 22.
(WEATHER BREAK)
COSTELLO: We want to take you back to the Vatican for more of a tour. We're getting incredible pictures out of the Vatican this morning as President Bush meets with Pope John Paul.
John King on the phone again.
At what point in the meeting are we at now -- John?
JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I hope you can see the last pictures now of the first lady sitting next to the president and Pope John Paul II. She just came into the room and greeted the pope and took a seat.
We're at the point now where we are awaiting the public statements. You see there the first lady. We are awaiting the public statements of both delegations. You can see the large number of the president's traveling staff with him, as well as the staff of the U.S. mission (UNINTELLIGIBLE). COSTELLO: And as you can see the way Laura Bush is dressed with her head covered and a skirt down to her knees, it's a rule at the Vatican that women must have their heads covered and they must be wearing skirts, right?
KING: It is considered to be both a rule and a traditional custom, yes, to dress that way out of respect for the holy father.
COSTELLO: And again, quickly, what is the pope and the president -- what are they supposed to be talking about?
KING: Well, obviously, an exchange -- the president is bringing the greetings of the people of the United States, as well as the government of the United States to his holy father and, again, to reassure the pope that the United States wants to keep its troops in Iraq no longer than they are necessary, and that the president will also promise that the United States will vigorously investigate the prisoner abuse scandal at the Abu Ghraib prison by U.S. military personnel.
And the pope is expected to voice his criticism, his concerns about having occupation in a sovereign nation, like Iraq, and to talk as well about -- whether he publicly talks now about the prisoner abuse scandal will be interesting. The Vatican has made public criticisms in recent weeks. It will be interesting to hear the pope restate those concerns today.
COSTELLO: OK. And we'll let you go right now, John King, because I know you awaiting their public comments. So, when they pop out, we'll get back to you.
Right now, we want to go live to Rome outside of the Vatican walls to talk to CNN Vatican analyst, Delia Gallagher.
Good morning -- Delia.
DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: The pope is very vocal about his opposition to the war. What do you think he has told President Bush this morning?
GALLAGHER: Well, I tell you, I think the criticism of the U.S. intervention in Iraq was made clear in the past year by the pope. So, this morning, I don't think he's going to waste his breath going over that again. The president is well aware of his position.
I think he's going to try to push forward a little bit the idea in a broad term of this renewed engagement with the international community, because this is where the Vatican is trying to lead the Bush administration to say unilateral action is not legitimate as far as they're concerned.
In a more concrete way, of course, he's going to want to hear about the timetable in Iraq and be sure, as John King, mentioned that there will be a sovereign Iraqi government for the Iraqi people -- Carol. COSTELLO: You know, I know the pope had great influence. A lot of people are worried about his health. Has his influence diminished with his health over the years, Delia?
GALLAGHER: Well, I don't think one could say that really. Some have said that seeing this kind of suffering pope lends another air to what he says and to his presence. And one thing that you can't underestimate is that even if the criticisms have been heard on the other side of the Atlantic, being here and being in front of the pope is a powerful message.
So, that whatever the pope says to President Bush today will probably have that much more meaning for the president. Of course, the pope and the president share a belief in the same God. So, the pope has a great moral authority as far as the president is concerned. And I think that that will be felt in a very powerful way today.
COSTELLO: You talk about that powerful message that even a photo of the president with the pope will imply to the American people and, of course, the world. It's six months before the American election. We know a prominent cardinal at the Vatican called for denying communion for Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. Should we read anything more into the pope's meeting with this anti- abortion president?
GALLAGHER: Well, of course, that's something that probably the president will want to highlight that. Between the Republican Party and the Vatican there are many points of convergence, in particular on some of those domestic issues.
The pope and the Vatican will generally try to stay away from those kinds of domestic issues and bring it more onto the international scene, which is their primary concern. But, of course, they're very interested that some of those family values and abortion issues will be followed through by the president, and I think that will be one of the things that the president highlights today.
COSTELLO: Well, you know, there's always subtle ways that the pope sends out his message without really seeming to become involved in American politics. He's very good at that, isn't he?
GALLAGHER: Yes. Well, again, this is the general line that he has a certain moral authority, and they tend to say that they don't get involved in policy. But, of course, the sort of domino effect is that when the pope speaks, everybody in any country will take that into their own context.
And so, in a certain way, of course, they do get involved, and a good example of that was the cardinal who came out and spoke about giving communion to pro-choice politicians. This is a point of contention, because the Vatican tries to leave things up to the bishop conferences.
So, the bishop conferences in every country are responsible for sort of setting the law of the land, as it were; for taking the general idea of the pope and the Vatican and the general Catholic teaching and making that specific when it comes to serving their people. And that's not always set to clear cut roots.
And, in fact, regarding communion we heard just yesterday that Cardinal Rassinger (ph) has said -- and this is rather unprecedented -- he has said that he wants to meet with the U.S. bishops, if possible, in anticipate of their June 14 meeting to discuss this issue of giving communion to pro-choice politicians.
So, clearly, it's something that we see the Vatican in this instance really taking a very active role, and that's something that we don't always see -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Oh, another question along those lines. John Kerry, who is Catholic and pro-choice, requested a meeting with this pope. Will the pope grant it?
GALLAGHER: Well, I think it would be unlikely in a campaign year that he would meet with John Kerry. He doesn't have an official role in the government. In fact, it's not so usual that he would even meet with the president in a campaign year, except this year is an exception due to the international issues.
So, the answer would be no for the moment. Of course, if John Kerry were to become president, that becomes a different story. But the pope meets with heads of states. So, that would be where John Kerry could come into the Vatican if he were to become a head of state. But at the moment, that's not the case.
COSTELLO: I'd like to talk about the pope's health now, because he does look so very frail. Even this morning he looks frail. Can you bring us up-to-date?
GALLAGHER: Well, there's no change. That's the news. He's been frail for some time, and we've seen him. But I'll you something, Carol. He's leaving tomorrow for Switzerland. I mean, it doesn't stop him.
So you see this kind of physical frailty, but what you don't see is a sort of inner drive that he has. It's very interesting to see the pope up close, because really he has one eye that's almost half- shut. It's not all the way. And he has another eye which stares right out at you. And you can kind of sense this sort of inner strength that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COSTELLO: Delia, Delia, I'm sorry to interrupt.
GALLAGHER: Yes.
COSTELLO: Delia, let's pause for a moment, because I believe the public comments are about to come. The pope has been -- well, I guess he's been wheeled out to sit beside the president of the United States. They're adjusting his microphone and giving him his little podium. And they're going to speak in just a moment. So, let's listen.
POPE JOHN PAUL, II: Mr. President, I offer a warm welcome to you and to Mrs. Bush and to the distinguished delegation accompanying you (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to all of the people of the United States who represent (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to meet with me again in spite of the difficulties presented (UNINTELLIGIBLE) during this present visit to Europe and Italy and (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
You are visiting Italy to commemorate (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of the liberation of Rome and to honor the memory of the many American soldiers who gave their lives by the thousands (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the liberation of Europe. I join you in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of those valiant deaths and in asking the world (UNINTELLIGIBLE) mistakes of the past (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Today, I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) back (UNINTELLIGIBLE) emotion of the many brave soldiers who died for the freedom of Europe.
Mr. President, your visit to Rome takes place at a moment of great concern. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) unrest in the Middle East (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in Iraq and in the holy land. You have (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) express (UNINTELLIGIBLE) direct and indirect context and in your many diplomatic efforts, which have been made (UNINTELLIGIBLE) today to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
It is the evident desire of everyone that this situation now be normalized as quickly as possible with the active participation of the international community and, in particular, the United Nations organization, in order to ensure a speedy return of Iraq's sovereignty, in conditions of security for all its people.
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) of a head of state in Europe (UNINTELLIGIBLE) evident of an encouraging (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to us (UNINTELLIGIBLE). May a similar hope for peace also be rekindled in the holy land and lead to new negotiations, dictated by a sincere and determined commitment to dialogue, between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The threat of international terrorism has been a source of personal concern. It has changed the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and peaceful (UNINTELLIGIBLE) date of 11 September, 2001, which I would not hesitate to call a dark day in the history of humanity. In the first few weeks after (UNINTELLIGIBLE) events (UNINTELLIGIBLE) which have (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and resolute (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the absence of such a commitment (UNINTELLIGIBLE) terrorists (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
May God bring strength and success to all of those (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and all (UNINTELLIGIBLE) nations (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for the security and rights of all nations and to every man and woman.
At the same time, Mr. President, I take this opportunity to acknowledge (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of your government and of your nation's numerous humanitarian agencies, particularly those (UNINTELLIGIBLE) conditions in various African countries that is happening (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and degrading poverty and the longer we (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to continue to follow (UNINTELLIGIBLE) your commitment (UNINTELLIGIBLE), particularly (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to respect life and (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
A fuller and deeper understanding is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) United States of America and Europe, we surely (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in resolving today's problems that I have mentioned, as well as showing others (UNINTELLIGIBLE). May (UNINTELLIGIBLE) be sufficient (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to such (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. President, as you (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of service to your nation and to world peace, I assure you (UNINTELLIGIBLE) success and peace. May God (UNINTELLIGIBLE) freedom upon (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Thank you very much.
(APPLAUSE)
God bless America.
(APPLAUSE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Your holiness, thank you very much for receiving Laura and me and our delegation.
I bring greetings from our country, where you are respected, admired and greatly loved.
I also bring a message from my government that says to you, sir, we will work for human liberty and human dignity in order to spread peace and compassion, that we appreciate the strong symbol of freedom that you have stood for, and we recognize the power of freedom to change societies and to change the world.
And so, sir, we're honored to be here. Perhaps the best way I can express my country's gratitude to you and our respect to you is to present to you the Medal of Freedom from America. And if you might allow, I'd like to read the citation attached to that honor.
"A devoted servant of God, his holiness, Pope John Paul II has championed the cause of the poor, the weak, the hungry and the outcast. He has defended the unique dignity of every life and the goodness of all life. Through his faith and moral conviction, he has given courage to others to be not afraid in overcoming injustice and oppression. His principal stand for peace and freedom has inspired millions and helped to topple communism and tyranny.
The United States honors this son of Poland, who became the Bishop of Rome and a hero of our time.
And so on behalf of the American people, your holiness, I would be honored if you would accept our Medal of Freedom.
POPE JOHN PAUL II: I am very grateful, Mr. President, for this thoughtful gesture. May the desire for freedom, peace, a more humane world symbolized by this medal inspire men and women of goodwill in every time and place.
God bless America.
(APPLAUSE)
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning and welcome to AMERICAN MORNING.
You're looking at pictures of the president at the Vatican today. He is meeting with Pope John Paul II.
This is the president's third meeting with the Pope. The two had a private meeting earlier this morning and then the president publicly awarded to the Pope, just moments ago, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
That is the highest U.S. award that is offered to a civilian. Also traveling with the president, his wife Laura Bush, you see her in some of the shots greeting the Pope as well.
We've got Dana Bash who has been traveling with the president, of course, and she joins us by phone this morning.
Dana, good morning to you. First, give us a sense of what we know about the private meeting that president Bush had with Pope John Paul II and then give us an update on where the president goes next.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad. Well, first of all, in terms of what we just heard publicly, quite interesting -- from -- the Pope himself gave quite a lengthy statement where he talked about the situation in Iraq.
It has been no secret that the Pope and the Vatican as a whole have been opposed to the war in Iraq from the beginning.
This is somewhat of a fence-mending trip for the president. You mentioned it is his third trip here.
But the Pope in his public statement urged the situation in Iraq to be normalized as quickly as possible, as he put it, and urged the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of the international community.
He said he wants to restore order to ensure the return of Iraq's sovereignty and security there as quickly as possible. So it was quite interesting to hear publicly from the Pope.
In terms of what we think might have happened privately, senior officials said that the president understood going into this that he would have to talk to the Pope about what he thought was the reason for going to war and that is that just because, as one senior official said, there is no just war -- filling in that there was peace in Iraq, and that he will try to remind him that what they're trying to do in Iraq is return some of the human rights that the Pope strives for around the world.
So that is something that the president was supposed to talk about. We understand that the president expected, and we don't know if this happened in the present meeting, but hear from the Pope about his concerns about the abuses at the Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq, and that the president was expected to say to the Pope that he understands that this should not have happened, will not happen again, and that those who are responsible will be brought to justice -- Soledad. O'BRIEN: It's a relatively brief meeting, isn't it, Dana, although as you mentioned, the Pope gave a little bit longer statement than originally expected, but if the meeting that President Bush had sought and that in fact had changed his schedule around to accommodate a meeting with the Pope, is that correct?
BASH: That's correct, he did slightly alter his schedule in order to make sure to meet with the Pope while he is in Rome, and certainly while the focus at this point because of the critical times in Iraq focus is on the differences over Iraq.
There is a domestic issue here, and that is that the meeting with the Pope is very important to the president.
Officials stress that while there are differences over Iraq, there are a lot of things that they agree on, particularly social issues.
The fact that the president is a staunch opponent of abortion, that is something that the two relate to and this is also a Catholic vote is a sector of the population that the Bush campaign tried to court in 2000, and they're doing so again this election year.
And of course it's five months before the election so a picture of a meeting with the Pope certainly the Bush campaign does not think would hurt the president back home.
O'BRIEN: Was Laura Bush in that private meeting as well Dana?
BASH: Unclear. We believe that it was just the president and the Pope and perhaps a translator. We do not think that Mrs. Bush was in that meeting.
O'BRIEN: We can see pictures now of the Pope handing out medals to what looks like a contingent of maybe folks who have been traveling either with the president, or I'm not really clear on who those folks are. Do you have any more information about what he is giving out?
BASH: Well, we understand that -- pardon me here before, but the president did give the Pope the Medal of Freedom, that is a high honor that the president bestows on figures that he thinks have tried to push for freedom and human rights around the world.
O'BRIEN: All right. Dana Bash for us. Joining us by phone. Dana thanks.
We're going to ask you to continue to stick around with us, and of course as Dana was talking about it's really a full day for the president right after he meets with the Pope he continues on with his travels.
Well, you're looking again at pictures of President Bush. He is traveling with the First Lady, Laura Bush. And meeting with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican today. You're looking at live pictures of this meeting. The president just moments ago presenting Pope John Paul II with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. award that is offered to a civilian.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Long statement here from the Vatican in part read by the Pope a short time ago.
Mentions a number of things including that the turmoil in the Middle East calling it a moment of great concern, Soledad.
Also mentions the issue of the threat of international terrorism and specifically pointing out the events of 9/11 in this country calling it a, quote, dark day in the history of humanity.
O'BRIEN: Dana Bash is still on the phone. She's of course covering this for us, and traveling with the president.
Dana, I want to ask you about the president's schedule after this meeting. Again, it was scheduled to be a relatively brief meeting with Pope John Paul II.
Where does he go next? What does he do next?
BASH: Well, first of all, I just want to -- as you see -- these pictures point out what we're seeing here as the Pope doing his -- giving out his traditional medals to people who are visiting the Vatican.
He gives medals, specific medals from the Vatican, and to the women that are greeting him. They get rosary beads at this visit.
This is of course tradition whenever anybody goes to see the Pope.
But in terms of the president's schedule after he leaves the Vatican, which will happen shortly, he is going to be here in Italy the rest of the day and then tomorrow and he's going to have quite a different kind of meeting with the prime minister of Italy.
Silvio Berlusconi who is somebody who had been a staunch ally of the president's in the war in Iraq. He sent about 3,000 troops to Iraq and the president is by and large going to be thanking him, but from there it goes on to some tough meetings.
He's going to go to France. The reason he's going to France, of course, is to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day, but these meetings with the president of France, Jacques Chirac and others, who will be there will be a part of the president's campaign to try to get support from those who oppose the war in Iraq, moving forward particularly on this new U.N. resolution that they're trying to hammer out to get the world community behind Iraqi sovereignty and the move toward Iraqi sovereignty.
HEMMER: Dana one more issue here. The Pope celebrated yet another birthday last month in the month of May. What does the Vatican said about his current condition? BASH: Well, you know, they say essentially that he can sort of see and he can hear -- that the Pope is definitely ailing, but they were -- remark about how considering his ailing condition the way he is able to greet visitors as you're seeing from the president, the way he is able to give speeches and of course Mass once a week and even travel.
He's not going to be in Rome on Saturday, which is why the president changed his schedule. He's actually going to Switzerland, so, they say he certainly keeps up his full schedule even though he's clearly as you can see is ailing.
O'BRIEN: And always has. Dana Bash for us by phone. Dana, thank you very much.
We've been looking at pictures of the president leaving the room and the ceremony in the Vatican heading out, escorted by a cargo. All the other Cardinals as well. And of course Lady Laura Bush leaving, ending their event with Pope John Paul II.
Dana Bash updating us on exactly what was happening there.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired June 4, 2004 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to you from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Carol Costello. Let me bring you up-to-date now.
President Bush and the first lady are meeting Pope John Paul in Vatican City right now. The president is hoping his European visit will lead to more support for the rehabilitation of Iraq.
There is another resignation expected today at the CIA. Spy master James Tavock (ph), he's the guy in charge of covert operations, is expected to resign. As you know, CIA Director George Tenet announced his resignation on Thursday.
In money news, Martha Stewart's company plans to expand its board of directors from five to nine. The new candidates for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia are prominent media and marketing executives.
In sports, L.A. Dodgers center fielder Milton Bradley has been suspended for four games. Bradley was thrown out of Tuesdays' game with Milwaukee after throwing that tantrum, and a bunch of other stuff, too. Manager Jim Tracy (ph) was also suspended, but just for one game.
In culture, former President Bill Clinton is on the road. Today is the second day of a book tour promoting his memoir, "My Life." It's out June 22.
(WEATHER BREAK)
COSTELLO: We want to take you back to the Vatican for more of a tour. We're getting incredible pictures out of the Vatican this morning as President Bush meets with Pope John Paul.
John King on the phone again.
At what point in the meeting are we at now -- John?
JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I hope you can see the last pictures now of the first lady sitting next to the president and Pope John Paul II. She just came into the room and greeted the pope and took a seat.
We're at the point now where we are awaiting the public statements. You see there the first lady. We are awaiting the public statements of both delegations. You can see the large number of the president's traveling staff with him, as well as the staff of the U.S. mission (UNINTELLIGIBLE). COSTELLO: And as you can see the way Laura Bush is dressed with her head covered and a skirt down to her knees, it's a rule at the Vatican that women must have their heads covered and they must be wearing skirts, right?
KING: It is considered to be both a rule and a traditional custom, yes, to dress that way out of respect for the holy father.
COSTELLO: And again, quickly, what is the pope and the president -- what are they supposed to be talking about?
KING: Well, obviously, an exchange -- the president is bringing the greetings of the people of the United States, as well as the government of the United States to his holy father and, again, to reassure the pope that the United States wants to keep its troops in Iraq no longer than they are necessary, and that the president will also promise that the United States will vigorously investigate the prisoner abuse scandal at the Abu Ghraib prison by U.S. military personnel.
And the pope is expected to voice his criticism, his concerns about having occupation in a sovereign nation, like Iraq, and to talk as well about -- whether he publicly talks now about the prisoner abuse scandal will be interesting. The Vatican has made public criticisms in recent weeks. It will be interesting to hear the pope restate those concerns today.
COSTELLO: OK. And we'll let you go right now, John King, because I know you awaiting their public comments. So, when they pop out, we'll get back to you.
Right now, we want to go live to Rome outside of the Vatican walls to talk to CNN Vatican analyst, Delia Gallagher.
Good morning -- Delia.
DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: The pope is very vocal about his opposition to the war. What do you think he has told President Bush this morning?
GALLAGHER: Well, I tell you, I think the criticism of the U.S. intervention in Iraq was made clear in the past year by the pope. So, this morning, I don't think he's going to waste his breath going over that again. The president is well aware of his position.
I think he's going to try to push forward a little bit the idea in a broad term of this renewed engagement with the international community, because this is where the Vatican is trying to lead the Bush administration to say unilateral action is not legitimate as far as they're concerned.
In a more concrete way, of course, he's going to want to hear about the timetable in Iraq and be sure, as John King, mentioned that there will be a sovereign Iraqi government for the Iraqi people -- Carol. COSTELLO: You know, I know the pope had great influence. A lot of people are worried about his health. Has his influence diminished with his health over the years, Delia?
GALLAGHER: Well, I don't think one could say that really. Some have said that seeing this kind of suffering pope lends another air to what he says and to his presence. And one thing that you can't underestimate is that even if the criticisms have been heard on the other side of the Atlantic, being here and being in front of the pope is a powerful message.
So, that whatever the pope says to President Bush today will probably have that much more meaning for the president. Of course, the pope and the president share a belief in the same God. So, the pope has a great moral authority as far as the president is concerned. And I think that that will be felt in a very powerful way today.
COSTELLO: You talk about that powerful message that even a photo of the president with the pope will imply to the American people and, of course, the world. It's six months before the American election. We know a prominent cardinal at the Vatican called for denying communion for Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. Should we read anything more into the pope's meeting with this anti- abortion president?
GALLAGHER: Well, of course, that's something that probably the president will want to highlight that. Between the Republican Party and the Vatican there are many points of convergence, in particular on some of those domestic issues.
The pope and the Vatican will generally try to stay away from those kinds of domestic issues and bring it more onto the international scene, which is their primary concern. But, of course, they're very interested that some of those family values and abortion issues will be followed through by the president, and I think that will be one of the things that the president highlights today.
COSTELLO: Well, you know, there's always subtle ways that the pope sends out his message without really seeming to become involved in American politics. He's very good at that, isn't he?
GALLAGHER: Yes. Well, again, this is the general line that he has a certain moral authority, and they tend to say that they don't get involved in policy. But, of course, the sort of domino effect is that when the pope speaks, everybody in any country will take that into their own context.
And so, in a certain way, of course, they do get involved, and a good example of that was the cardinal who came out and spoke about giving communion to pro-choice politicians. This is a point of contention, because the Vatican tries to leave things up to the bishop conferences.
So, the bishop conferences in every country are responsible for sort of setting the law of the land, as it were; for taking the general idea of the pope and the Vatican and the general Catholic teaching and making that specific when it comes to serving their people. And that's not always set to clear cut roots.
And, in fact, regarding communion we heard just yesterday that Cardinal Rassinger (ph) has said -- and this is rather unprecedented -- he has said that he wants to meet with the U.S. bishops, if possible, in anticipate of their June 14 meeting to discuss this issue of giving communion to pro-choice politicians.
So, clearly, it's something that we see the Vatican in this instance really taking a very active role, and that's something that we don't always see -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Oh, another question along those lines. John Kerry, who is Catholic and pro-choice, requested a meeting with this pope. Will the pope grant it?
GALLAGHER: Well, I think it would be unlikely in a campaign year that he would meet with John Kerry. He doesn't have an official role in the government. In fact, it's not so usual that he would even meet with the president in a campaign year, except this year is an exception due to the international issues.
So, the answer would be no for the moment. Of course, if John Kerry were to become president, that becomes a different story. But the pope meets with heads of states. So, that would be where John Kerry could come into the Vatican if he were to become a head of state. But at the moment, that's not the case.
COSTELLO: I'd like to talk about the pope's health now, because he does look so very frail. Even this morning he looks frail. Can you bring us up-to-date?
GALLAGHER: Well, there's no change. That's the news. He's been frail for some time, and we've seen him. But I'll you something, Carol. He's leaving tomorrow for Switzerland. I mean, it doesn't stop him.
So you see this kind of physical frailty, but what you don't see is a sort of inner drive that he has. It's very interesting to see the pope up close, because really he has one eye that's almost half- shut. It's not all the way. And he has another eye which stares right out at you. And you can kind of sense this sort of inner strength that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COSTELLO: Delia, Delia, I'm sorry to interrupt.
GALLAGHER: Yes.
COSTELLO: Delia, let's pause for a moment, because I believe the public comments are about to come. The pope has been -- well, I guess he's been wheeled out to sit beside the president of the United States. They're adjusting his microphone and giving him his little podium. And they're going to speak in just a moment. So, let's listen.
POPE JOHN PAUL, II: Mr. President, I offer a warm welcome to you and to Mrs. Bush and to the distinguished delegation accompanying you (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to all of the people of the United States who represent (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to meet with me again in spite of the difficulties presented (UNINTELLIGIBLE) during this present visit to Europe and Italy and (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
You are visiting Italy to commemorate (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of the liberation of Rome and to honor the memory of the many American soldiers who gave their lives by the thousands (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the liberation of Europe. I join you in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of those valiant deaths and in asking the world (UNINTELLIGIBLE) mistakes of the past (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Today, I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) back (UNINTELLIGIBLE) emotion of the many brave soldiers who died for the freedom of Europe.
Mr. President, your visit to Rome takes place at a moment of great concern. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) unrest in the Middle East (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in Iraq and in the holy land. You have (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) express (UNINTELLIGIBLE) direct and indirect context and in your many diplomatic efforts, which have been made (UNINTELLIGIBLE) today to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
It is the evident desire of everyone that this situation now be normalized as quickly as possible with the active participation of the international community and, in particular, the United Nations organization, in order to ensure a speedy return of Iraq's sovereignty, in conditions of security for all its people.
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) of a head of state in Europe (UNINTELLIGIBLE) evident of an encouraging (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to us (UNINTELLIGIBLE). May a similar hope for peace also be rekindled in the holy land and lead to new negotiations, dictated by a sincere and determined commitment to dialogue, between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The threat of international terrorism has been a source of personal concern. It has changed the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and peaceful (UNINTELLIGIBLE) date of 11 September, 2001, which I would not hesitate to call a dark day in the history of humanity. In the first few weeks after (UNINTELLIGIBLE) events (UNINTELLIGIBLE) which have (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and resolute (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the absence of such a commitment (UNINTELLIGIBLE) terrorists (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
May God bring strength and success to all of those (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and all (UNINTELLIGIBLE) nations (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for the security and rights of all nations and to every man and woman.
At the same time, Mr. President, I take this opportunity to acknowledge (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of your government and of your nation's numerous humanitarian agencies, particularly those (UNINTELLIGIBLE) conditions in various African countries that is happening (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and degrading poverty and the longer we (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to continue to follow (UNINTELLIGIBLE) your commitment (UNINTELLIGIBLE), particularly (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to respect life and (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
A fuller and deeper understanding is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) United States of America and Europe, we surely (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in resolving today's problems that I have mentioned, as well as showing others (UNINTELLIGIBLE). May (UNINTELLIGIBLE) be sufficient (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to such (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. President, as you (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of service to your nation and to world peace, I assure you (UNINTELLIGIBLE) success and peace. May God (UNINTELLIGIBLE) freedom upon (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Thank you very much.
(APPLAUSE)
God bless America.
(APPLAUSE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Your holiness, thank you very much for receiving Laura and me and our delegation.
I bring greetings from our country, where you are respected, admired and greatly loved.
I also bring a message from my government that says to you, sir, we will work for human liberty and human dignity in order to spread peace and compassion, that we appreciate the strong symbol of freedom that you have stood for, and we recognize the power of freedom to change societies and to change the world.
And so, sir, we're honored to be here. Perhaps the best way I can express my country's gratitude to you and our respect to you is to present to you the Medal of Freedom from America. And if you might allow, I'd like to read the citation attached to that honor.
"A devoted servant of God, his holiness, Pope John Paul II has championed the cause of the poor, the weak, the hungry and the outcast. He has defended the unique dignity of every life and the goodness of all life. Through his faith and moral conviction, he has given courage to others to be not afraid in overcoming injustice and oppression. His principal stand for peace and freedom has inspired millions and helped to topple communism and tyranny.
The United States honors this son of Poland, who became the Bishop of Rome and a hero of our time.
And so on behalf of the American people, your holiness, I would be honored if you would accept our Medal of Freedom.
POPE JOHN PAUL II: I am very grateful, Mr. President, for this thoughtful gesture. May the desire for freedom, peace, a more humane world symbolized by this medal inspire men and women of goodwill in every time and place.
God bless America.
(APPLAUSE)
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning and welcome to AMERICAN MORNING.
You're looking at pictures of the president at the Vatican today. He is meeting with Pope John Paul II.
This is the president's third meeting with the Pope. The two had a private meeting earlier this morning and then the president publicly awarded to the Pope, just moments ago, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
That is the highest U.S. award that is offered to a civilian. Also traveling with the president, his wife Laura Bush, you see her in some of the shots greeting the Pope as well.
We've got Dana Bash who has been traveling with the president, of course, and she joins us by phone this morning.
Dana, good morning to you. First, give us a sense of what we know about the private meeting that president Bush had with Pope John Paul II and then give us an update on where the president goes next.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad. Well, first of all, in terms of what we just heard publicly, quite interesting -- from -- the Pope himself gave quite a lengthy statement where he talked about the situation in Iraq.
It has been no secret that the Pope and the Vatican as a whole have been opposed to the war in Iraq from the beginning.
This is somewhat of a fence-mending trip for the president. You mentioned it is his third trip here.
But the Pope in his public statement urged the situation in Iraq to be normalized as quickly as possible, as he put it, and urged the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of the international community.
He said he wants to restore order to ensure the return of Iraq's sovereignty and security there as quickly as possible. So it was quite interesting to hear publicly from the Pope.
In terms of what we think might have happened privately, senior officials said that the president understood going into this that he would have to talk to the Pope about what he thought was the reason for going to war and that is that just because, as one senior official said, there is no just war -- filling in that there was peace in Iraq, and that he will try to remind him that what they're trying to do in Iraq is return some of the human rights that the Pope strives for around the world.
So that is something that the president was supposed to talk about. We understand that the president expected, and we don't know if this happened in the present meeting, but hear from the Pope about his concerns about the abuses at the Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq, and that the president was expected to say to the Pope that he understands that this should not have happened, will not happen again, and that those who are responsible will be brought to justice -- Soledad. O'BRIEN: It's a relatively brief meeting, isn't it, Dana, although as you mentioned, the Pope gave a little bit longer statement than originally expected, but if the meeting that President Bush had sought and that in fact had changed his schedule around to accommodate a meeting with the Pope, is that correct?
BASH: That's correct, he did slightly alter his schedule in order to make sure to meet with the Pope while he is in Rome, and certainly while the focus at this point because of the critical times in Iraq focus is on the differences over Iraq.
There is a domestic issue here, and that is that the meeting with the Pope is very important to the president.
Officials stress that while there are differences over Iraq, there are a lot of things that they agree on, particularly social issues.
The fact that the president is a staunch opponent of abortion, that is something that the two relate to and this is also a Catholic vote is a sector of the population that the Bush campaign tried to court in 2000, and they're doing so again this election year.
And of course it's five months before the election so a picture of a meeting with the Pope certainly the Bush campaign does not think would hurt the president back home.
O'BRIEN: Was Laura Bush in that private meeting as well Dana?
BASH: Unclear. We believe that it was just the president and the Pope and perhaps a translator. We do not think that Mrs. Bush was in that meeting.
O'BRIEN: We can see pictures now of the Pope handing out medals to what looks like a contingent of maybe folks who have been traveling either with the president, or I'm not really clear on who those folks are. Do you have any more information about what he is giving out?
BASH: Well, we understand that -- pardon me here before, but the president did give the Pope the Medal of Freedom, that is a high honor that the president bestows on figures that he thinks have tried to push for freedom and human rights around the world.
O'BRIEN: All right. Dana Bash for us. Joining us by phone. Dana thanks.
We're going to ask you to continue to stick around with us, and of course as Dana was talking about it's really a full day for the president right after he meets with the Pope he continues on with his travels.
Well, you're looking again at pictures of President Bush. He is traveling with the First Lady, Laura Bush. And meeting with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican today. You're looking at live pictures of this meeting. The president just moments ago presenting Pope John Paul II with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. award that is offered to a civilian.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Long statement here from the Vatican in part read by the Pope a short time ago.
Mentions a number of things including that the turmoil in the Middle East calling it a moment of great concern, Soledad.
Also mentions the issue of the threat of international terrorism and specifically pointing out the events of 9/11 in this country calling it a, quote, dark day in the history of humanity.
O'BRIEN: Dana Bash is still on the phone. She's of course covering this for us, and traveling with the president.
Dana, I want to ask you about the president's schedule after this meeting. Again, it was scheduled to be a relatively brief meeting with Pope John Paul II.
Where does he go next? What does he do next?
BASH: Well, first of all, I just want to -- as you see -- these pictures point out what we're seeing here as the Pope doing his -- giving out his traditional medals to people who are visiting the Vatican.
He gives medals, specific medals from the Vatican, and to the women that are greeting him. They get rosary beads at this visit.
This is of course tradition whenever anybody goes to see the Pope.
But in terms of the president's schedule after he leaves the Vatican, which will happen shortly, he is going to be here in Italy the rest of the day and then tomorrow and he's going to have quite a different kind of meeting with the prime minister of Italy.
Silvio Berlusconi who is somebody who had been a staunch ally of the president's in the war in Iraq. He sent about 3,000 troops to Iraq and the president is by and large going to be thanking him, but from there it goes on to some tough meetings.
He's going to go to France. The reason he's going to France, of course, is to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day, but these meetings with the president of France, Jacques Chirac and others, who will be there will be a part of the president's campaign to try to get support from those who oppose the war in Iraq, moving forward particularly on this new U.N. resolution that they're trying to hammer out to get the world community behind Iraqi sovereignty and the move toward Iraqi sovereignty.
HEMMER: Dana one more issue here. The Pope celebrated yet another birthday last month in the month of May. What does the Vatican said about his current condition? BASH: Well, you know, they say essentially that he can sort of see and he can hear -- that the Pope is definitely ailing, but they were -- remark about how considering his ailing condition the way he is able to greet visitors as you're seeing from the president, the way he is able to give speeches and of course Mass once a week and even travel.
He's not going to be in Rome on Saturday, which is why the president changed his schedule. He's actually going to Switzerland, so, they say he certainly keeps up his full schedule even though he's clearly as you can see is ailing.
O'BRIEN: And always has. Dana Bash for us by phone. Dana, thank you very much.
We've been looking at pictures of the president leaving the room and the ceremony in the Vatican heading out, escorted by a cargo. All the other Cardinals as well. And of course Lady Laura Bush leaving, ending their event with Pope John Paul II.
Dana Bash updating us on exactly what was happening there.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
