Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.
April 15, 2008
Plenty o’ Bodyguards for Pope Benedict
by Matthew Hay Brown
Pope Benedict XVI should feel safe and secure when he steps off Shepherd One this afternoon, thanks to unbelievably tight security measures for his U.S. visit. But those close to the pontiff say he’d prefer to do without the bodyguards and connect with his American flock instead.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to line parade routes and attend masses to commemorate Benedict’s first trip to the U.S. as pope. The first papal journey since the 2001 terrorist attacks, this trip also comes on the heels of statements by Osama bin Laden last month that the pontiff has played a “large role” in a crusade against Islam.
U.S. and papal security forces reportedly have tried to strike a balance between the pope’s safety and his role as a religious leader. But in some cases, trying to strike that balance has detracted from the pope’s mission to minister and facilitate interfaith dialogue. (more…)