Presidents Bush and Clinton Pay Respects to Pope John Paul II

As President Bush arrived in Rome, he was met by his father, George H.W. Bush, and former President Bill Clinton, to pay their respects at the body of Pope John Paul II. The three presidents, along with Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, prayed for approximately four minutes at the side of the pope's body. This marks the first time a sitting president has attended the funeral of a pope. The event was notable for the spontaneous conversations between the presidents, particularly between Mr. Clinton and Mr. Bush, where they discussed the pope's stance on military actions and the concept of a just war.

Key Takeaways:

• President Bush is the first sitting president to attend the funeral of a pope.
• The three presidents, including President Bush, his father, and Bill Clinton, prayed for approximately four minutes at the side of the pope's body.
• Mr. Clinton shared his memories of the pope and assessed his impact, noting that the pope supported military actions in Kosovo and Bosnia, but opposed initiating war unless there was an immediate human tragedy.
• The elder Mr. Bush stated that he wished he had discussed the concept of a just war with the pope.
• The conversation highlights the ongoing discussion about the use of force and the concept of a just war.
• The event demonstrated the respect and admiration that the presidents have for the late Pope John Paul II.

Statistics:

• Three U.S. presidents (George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton) attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
• Approximately four minutes was spent by the presidents praying at the side of the pope's body.
• The pope supported military actions in Kosovo and Bosnia.
• The pope opposed initiating war, including the first Gulf War in 1991 and the Iraq War.
• 1990s - The pope supported military actions by NATO in Kosovo and Bosnia.

Sources:

• L'Osservatore Romano (Vatican newspaper)
• Pool report filed by reporters aboard Air Force One