The Leader of the Free World had some warm words today for the Vicar of Christ, at the Catholic Prayer Breakfast:

It was a privilege to welcome Benedict XVI to the United States, President George Bush told the crowd at the 5th Annual Catholic Prayer Breakfast.

The president said this today to the sold-out crowd of 2,000. This year’s theme was “A Celebration of Benedict XVI in America,” since the event coincided with the U.S. papal visit.

When asked about the timing of the event, Austin Ruse, vice president of the NCPB, told ZENIT, “It is actually a miracle. We picked our date a year ago. We were worried that having it at the same time would be a problem, but we are already in record territory.”

Bush, after greeting the many dignitaries present, including Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, spoke about the Holy Father’s visit to Washington and the White House.

“This has been a joyous week,” he said. “It’s been a joyous time for Catholics — and it wasn’t such a bad week for Methodists, either. The excitement was just palpable. The streets were lined with people that were so thrilled that the Holy Father was here. And it was such a privilege to welcome this good man to the United States.”

“For those of you on the South Lawn — who saw the South Lawn ceremony live,” the president continued, “it was just such a special moment. And it was a special moment to be able to visit with the Holy Father in the Oval Office. He is a humble servant of God. He is a brilliant professor. He is a warm and generous soul. He is courageous in the defense of fundamental truths.”

“His Holiness believes that freedom is the Almighty’s gift to every man, woman and child on earth. He understands that every person has value, or to use his words, ‘each of us is willed, each of us is loved, [and] each of us is necessary,'” Bush continued, receiving a standing ovation for underlining the value of every human life.

The event’s keynote speaker was Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City, Missouri. Other speakers included theologian Michael Novak and EWTN host Marcus Grodi.