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American Morning

Bush to Meet With Pope

Aired May 28, 2002 - 09:09   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's start in Rome now. President Bush, in about an hour's time, on his way to Vatican City. He'll have a meeting there with the pope. All of this coming after a historic NATO session not too far away, in Rome.

Kelly Wallace now in the Eternal City joins us live now with an update, where it is well into the afternoon there.

Kelly, good afternoon.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill.

You know, this administration has definitely been reaching out to Catholic voters. This will be President Bush's second visit with the pope since taking office. And it was interesting, before the trip, before the trip to Europe, aides said he would not bring up the issue, the controversy, of sexual abuse allegations involving U.S. priests during this meeting. But today, the president said he would bring the issue up.

He said he will listen carefully to what the pope has to say and express his concerns about how the scandal could affect the church.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I will tell him that I am concerned about the Catholic church in America. I'm concerned about its standing. And I say that because the Catholic church is an incredibly important institution in our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: The centerpiece of his visit to Rome, though, the 19 leaders of NATO joining Russian President Vladimir Putin, signing a declaration creating the new NATO-Russia council. The significance here: the alliance created decades ago to contain the former Soviet Union now pledging greater cooperation with Russia.

We saw the leaders, all 20 and all standing together for the first class photo. Russia is not becoming a formal member of NATO, but it is getting more involvement in the discussions and decision- making when it comes to key issues such as terrorism and weapons proliferation -- U.S. President Bush hailing this as the former foes now becoming partners, and President Putin saying that this development would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

And also, Bill, U.S. officials were asked just a short time ago, Well what happens if Russia becomes more of a threat a few years from now? What then -- Secretary of State Colin Powell saying he does not expect that to happen. He said, quote, "I don't think we will see a rerun of this movie." He said, The movie didn't play well the first time -- Bill.

HEMMER: Another sign of the changing world. Kelly, thanks. Kelly Wallace again in Rome.

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