Will President Bush convert to Catholicism?

[Tylergal]

President Bush and the Pope spoke for half an hour in the 12th century Tower of St John, usually reserved for the pope's private reflection
AFP/GETTY
President Bush and the Pope spoke for half an hour in the 12th century Tower of St John, usually reserved for the Pope's private reflection
George W Bush meets Pope amid claims he might convert to Catholicism
The President presented the Pope with a picture of the two of them
George W Bush meets Pope amid claims he might convert to Catholicism

The two men spoke for half an hour in the 12th century Tower of St John, a private area in the Vatican gardens which is used by the pope for private reflection.

The usual protocol for heads-of-state is a meeting in the pope's library in the Apostolic Palace, but a spokesman for the Vatican said Benedict wanted to reward Mr Bush for the "warmth" of his reception at the White House earlier this year.
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The two men have grown increasingly close in the past two years, and Mr Bush was overheard whispering: "What an honour, what an honour, what an honour!" as he ascended the steps to the tower.

After a stroll through the Vatican gardens, the men listened to a recital by the choir of the Sistine Chapel. However, Mr Bush did not, as expected, kneel in prayer before the Grotto of the Madonna of Lourdes. It was thought that he may have prayed with the pope in private. Mr Bush prayed with Benedict in the Oval Office during the Papal visit to the US in April.

Several Italian newspapers cited Vatican sources suggesting that Mr Bush may be prepared to convert. One source told Il Foglio, an authoritative newspaper, that "Anything is possible, especially for a born-again Christian such as Bush."

He added that while the Holy See deplored the war in Iraq, "on ethical matters he has always had a line that is practically identical to that of the Vatican." Mr Bush has spoken out against gay marriage, abortion and stem cell research. He proposed amending the US constitution to "fully protect marriage" as the "union of man and woman as husband and wife".

He has repeatedly made clear his admiration for Benedict and has even claimed to have read some of the pope's theological books.

A source close to the Vatican said that Mr Bush was the most "Catholic-minded" president since John F Kennedy, who famously played down his Catholicism. Mr Bush belongs to a Methodist church in Texas and prays at an Episcopal church in Washington.

However, George William Rutler, a New York-based priest who is close to the president, was quoted by the Washington Post earlier this year saying that Mr Bush "is not unaware of how evangelism, by comparison with Catholicism, may seem more limited both theologically and historically".

Mr Bush has filled the White House with Catholic speech-writers and consultants and is also thought to have asked a Catholic priest to bless the West Wing.

Before he became president, Karl Rove, his former political adviser, invited Catholic intellectuals to Texas to lecture the candidate on the church's teachings. Mr Bush appointed the Catholic judges Samuel Alito and John Roberts to the Supreme Court.

However, it is thought unlikely that Mr Bush would convert until after he has left office. Jeb Bush, the president's brother, has already converted to Catholicism.

Catholics have noted that during the contested election in 2000, Jeb Bush travelled to Mexico and prayed to the icon of Our Lady of Guadelupe. His victory was announced by the Supreme Court on December 12, the feast day of the Lady of Guadelupe.

[Tylergal]

Attribution to The Telegraph, Malcolm Moore (did not copy properly, darn ads).

[caesu]

more likely he converts to islam.
he is has been a great help to several islamist regimes.

most likely he will become a sunni.

[Dihannah1]

more likely he converts to islam.
he is has been a great help to several islamist regimes.

most likely he will become a sunni.

caesu,

I've given you the opportunity to opine, as I ask questions on your thoughts, trying to remain respectful, even though we disagree on OUR U.S. politics,  but sarcasm is totally unnecessary.   Especially an attack on our current president, trying to protect us from radical Muslims! Tyler is a very well respected poster here, especially on the political thread.  I would suggest you give your opinions and leave out the sarcasm!  As I've said before, I will agree to disagree with you, but not when  you make idiotic comments like that!     

[Tylergal]

Caseu is nothing but a mouthpiece for the Euro wieners.

[Tylergal]

It's okay, Caseu.  I don't mind your insults.  I can dish 'em as fast as you can.  The Dutch are no longer allowed to voice their opinions in their country on politics because of the radical Muslims who have taken over their country and then the one moderate they had in power, they ran her off and she is living in obscurity because she fears for her life. That's the NL for you.  So, you are welcome here, Caseu.  Just don't be surprised if your opinions are overrun with commonsense and truth.

[caesu]

more likely he converts to islam.
he is has been a great help to several islamist regimes.

most likely he will become a sunni.

caesu,

I've given you the opportunity to opine, as I ask questions on your thoughts, trying to remain respectful, even though we disagree on OUR U.S. politics,  but sarcasm is totally unnecessary.   Especially an attack on our current president, trying to protect us from radical Muslims! Tyler is a very well respected poster here, especially on the political thread.  I would suggest you give your opinions and leave out the sarcasm!  As I've said before, I will agree to disagree with you, but not when  you make idiotic comments like that!     

first of all i don't see what a topic about someone personal religion is doing in the political forum.
same goes for the anti-christ topic.

as for the sarcasm:

sorry for that.
but imo my point stands that the president over all has done a great deal to empower radical islam.
not only creating a hotbed for that in iraq - previously a secular country.
but also supporting the islamist regimes of saudi-arabia and aghanistan.
taliban was worse of course than the current islamist government but due to the unnecessary iraq war the taliban is getting stronger again.
karzai is in effect only the major of kabul.
the usa is helping saudi-arabia with its own nuclear program. how helpful is that?
and bush facilitated for iran to become a major islamist power and that region once again by removing saddam and leaving a unstable shia islamist puppet regime in its place.

therefore a conversion to islam for him is more likely than to catholicism.
the pope has spoken out strongly against him.

[caesu]

It's okay, Caseu.  I don't mind your insults.  I can dish 'em as fast as you can.  The Dutch are no longer allowed to voice their opinions in their country on politics because of the radical Muslims who have taken over their country and then the one moderate they had in power, they ran her off and she is living in obscurity because she fears for her life. That's the NL for you.  So, you are welcome here, Caseu.  Just don't be surprised if your opinions are overrun with commonsense and truth.

that's partly right. but ayaan hirshi ali wasn't just moderate, she had broke entirely with islam.
the current government has indeed capitulated to radical islam as for free speech.
but the government lost its popular support, so in the next election a lot is going to change.
but because they fear that they won't call election. but in a year or two they have to by the constitution.