His act is an official state visit in which he claims the Americas for Catholicism. All other reasons he might give are simply a smokescreen so as to not raise the hackles of the unwashed protestants.

I guess maybe he thinks we need a visit? I dunno... he is here in NYC. It's a bit nutty here. Edit: FYI On Saturday April 19th, 2008 Pope Benedict XVI will be visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral from approximately 9:00 a.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m. As with past papal visits, we expect large crowds to gather in the vicinity of the Cathedral starting well in advance of the scheduled starting time. We can expect the New York City Police Department to close 50th and 51st Streets to pedestrian and vehicular traffic as well as parts of 5th and 6th Avenues, well in advance of his arrival. Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets, will be a media central location, with large bleacher and television set ups; therefore, this area will also be closed to pedestrians. Since this is a national event, changes may be made by the United States Secret Service or NYPD at any time, to increase security surrounding this visit. If you are planning on working in the building that day, we suggest that you plan on arriving well in advance of the anticipated start time, and leaving after the conclusion of the event, if at all possible. All tenants or visitors to the building will need to present Tenant Identification at police checkpoints outside of the Center. If you are expecting visitors who are not tenants of the building to be coming to your office this day, you will need to provide them with an “invitation” similar to what you would do on the day of the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. Guests will also need to have photo identification in their possession. It is possible that the NYPD may unexpectedly close any street or pedestrian walkway that may inconvenience tenant employees or visitors. Please refer to the enclosed suggested alternate entrances to the complex in the event of difficulties. Lastly, all access to Rockefeller Center roof gardens and exterior building setbacks is strictly prohibited on this day. No building windows are to be opened whatsoever.

This is what I found when I googled this: Papal Visits to the United States In October, 1965, Paul VI became the first pope to visit the United States. His trip included a first time papal visit to the United Nations. Pope John Paul II visited the United States seven times during his papacy: 1979 (10/1 - 10/7) Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Des Moines, Chicago and Washington, DC 1981 (2/27) Anchorage, Alaska – stopover/several hours 1984 (5/2) Fairbanks, Alaska – stopover/several hours 1987 (9/10 – 9/19) Miami, Columbia, SC, New Orleans, San Antonio, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit 1993 (8/12 – 8/15) Denver (World Youth Day) 1995 (10/4 – 10/8) Newark, NJ, New York (incldng Brooklyn), Baltimore 1999 (1/26 – 1/27) St. Louis Pope John Paul II met with a U.S. president during each of the following visits to the United States: 1979 – President Carter (Washington, DC) 1984 – President Reagan (Fairbanks, Alaska: first time a U.S. president and pope met outside of the White House or Vatican) 1987 – President Reagan (Los Angeles) 1993 – President GHW Bush (Denver) 1995 – President Clinton (Newark, NJ) 1999 – President Clinton (St. Louis) A papal visit to the United Nations has occurred a total of three times while the pope visited the U.S. Paul VI – 1965 John Paul II – 1979, 1995

I think it's only the second time the Pope has visited the White House. I couldn't answer the why part, a deep mystery to me.

Because he wants to. Who are you to say that he shouldn't?

I DR'ed this question because it includes factual inaccuracies that intended to smear the Pres as well. I expect better.

i dont know but i do know that he used to be a nazi and he has scary eyes

Great minds naturally attract each other.