The United States of Christ

Here's today's news. The only part of this I appreciate is the last paragraph

"Bush talked about his time in Rome in extraordinarily personal terms, saying it strengthened his own belief in a 'living God.'

He remarked on how affected he was by the services, particularly the music and the sight of the plain casket being carried out with the sun pouring down on it. As he viewed the pope's body, Bush said, he felt 'very much at peace' and 'much more in touch with his spirit.'

'I knew the ceremony today would be majestic but I didn't realize how moved I would be by the service itself,' the president said. 'Today's ceremony, I bet you, was a reaffirmation for millions.'

That was true for him, Bush said.

'No doubt in my mind the Lord Christ was sent by the Almighty,' Bush said. 'No doubt.'

Bush said attending the funeral mass reminded him that faith is a long-term process, using a description of religious life common to evangelicals. 'Faith - it's a walk, not a moment, not a respite,' he said.

Bush was close to the front of the section reserved for world leaders, who were seated in alphabetical order - in French. The United States in French is Etats-Unis. A parallel section seated Catholic leaders. Bush sat on the aisle in the second row, next to his wife. Beside them were French President Jacques Chirac and his wife, Bernadette. The two presidents shook hands.

When Bush's face appeared on giant screen TVs showing the ceremony, many in the crowds outside St. Peter's Square booed and whistled."