Coloradans spot pontiff, president on same 'stage'

By M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 16, 2008 at 11 p.m.

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Colorado voices joined an impromptu chorus of Happy Birthday on Wednesday to greet Pope Benedict XVI on the first full day of his visit to the United States.

The pontiff celebrated his 81st birthday with a regal White House ceremony. About 9,000 people heard Benedict's first, brief remarks - including "God bless America" - and President Bush's endorsement of the pope's call for a return to traditional teachings of right and wrong.

"We need your message to reject this dictatorship of relativism and embrace a culture of justice and truth," Bush said.

Among those who waited more than 31/2 hours on the South Lawn of the White House was Jason Christensen, 38, executive director of Catholic Charities, of Colorado Springs.

"It's pretty rare that a lot of people get to see a president in person - much less a pope. And to see both is quite an experience," Christensen said.

Some observers have portrayed the pope as rigid and dogmatic. But Christensen points out that the first papal encyclical he issued was about the topic of love.

"I think he has surprised a lot of folks," Christensen said.

Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., was among the well-wishers. Salazar said what he'll most remember is "the hope and optimism for global solidarity that the pope called for. We need to do a lot in that regard because global solidarity has been torn asunder by this administration."

But he also said the event, set at the president's official residence with members of Congress in attendance, was a stark contrast to the apolitical events of World Youth Day in Colorado in 1993, when the late Pope John Paul II delivered an upbeat message to crowds estimated in the hundreds of thousands.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the president and the president's people organized the event with a political purpose in mind," Salazar said when asked about Bush's speech.

About 250 Coloradans have traveled to the East Coast for events through April 20, including Archbishop Charles Chaput, of the Denver Diocese, and Bishop Michael Sheridan, of Colorado Springs.

"Both President Bush and Pope Benedict gave wonderful talks," said Chaput. "The president's talk was full of Catholic themes, and the pope's talk was full of American themes."

Chaput shrugged off Salazar's comments about possible political motives by Bush, saying the White House ceremony was similar to one where former President Carter welcomed John Paul II to the White House.

"Does the president or Sen. Salazar do anything that isn't political in some ways?" Chaput asked.

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