President, pontiff touch on range of topics

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President, pontiff touch on range of topics

Story Created: Apr 16, 2008 at 4:55 PM EDT

Story Updated: Apr 16, 2008 at 6:04 PM EDT

WHITE HOUSE (AP) - In addition to today's public pageantry, President Bush and Pope Benedict made time for private talks.

Discussions covered poverty, human rights, and the situation in the Middle East. A joint U.S.-Holy See statement also said the two reaffirmed "their total rejection of terrorism" and any use of religion to justify immoral and violent acts against civilians.

Benedict also raised his concerns about punitive immigration laws. The statement said the two leaders discussed the need for a coordinated and "humane" immigration policy.

One topic not apparently mentioned was the clergy sex abuse scandal. A private meeting between Benedict and U.S. bishops later today is expected to cover that controversy.

Today marks only the second White House visit by a pope. The first was 29 years ago.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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