As the Pope made his way to New York…

…Washington remained absorbed in his presence and his words. Starting with President Bush.

The National Catholic Prayer Breakfast was held today with a record 2,000 attendees. Timed to end in time for the Pope’s UN address by late morning, the breakfast featured an early visit by the president. He was in the same jovial mood he’s appeared in since the Pope arrived this week. Here’s how he started his remarks:

Thanks for giving me this unusual speaking opportunity.  I understand that this program builds up to another speech. It’s not every day you get to be the warm-up act to the Holy Father.

That got a lot of laughter. This is the second time this week Bush delivered his talk before a much anticipated speeh by the Holy Father, the first at the White House Wednesday.

This has been a joyous week. It’s been a joyous time for Catholics — and it wasn’t such a bad week for Methodists, either.

The crowd enjoyed that one, too. Bush wanted to emphasize the impact the pope had on him, and on Washington.

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, it was — what an unbelievable — it was just such a special moment.

You had to hear his voice to get the impact it had on him, personally. Which the crowd shared by their bursts of applause.

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. (Applause.) 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.”  (Applause.)

The Holy Father strongly believes that to whom much is given much is required — and he is a messenger of God’s call to love our neighbors as we’d like to be loved ourselves.

I’ve seen how American Catholics are guided by these truths.  One of the blessings of being the President is I get to see firsthand how people are motivated by the fundamental truths articulated by the Holy Father.  I’ve watched you live out the Gospel through countless acts of compassion and courage.  I’ve joined with you in striving to heed the Scriptures’ noble calling:  to see God’s image in all mankind, and to uphold the dignity of each human being on Earth.

Whatever people think of this president on other issues, he is the staunchest defender of life in the White House in ages.

Chief Justice John Roberts was there, as were Sen. Sam Brownback, Solicitor General Paul Clement, members of the Bush administration, Chief Justice John Roberts (who Bush said is always looking for a free breakfast), Maryland’s former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, other members of government and a number of bishops and archbishops. Major league athletes were there, business leaders and professionals. The atmosphere was strong with the hope and goodwill Benedict spread and urged everyone else to spread.

Bush continued (the White House Press Secretary’s office provided the transcript):

Together, we’ve worked to foster a culture of tolerance and peace.  We believe that religion should be a source of understanding and grace — not a source of extremism and violence.  On his visit and throughout his time as the Holy Father, the Pope has worked to foster inter-religious dialogue, and to heal the wounds of religious conflict.  I strongly support the Pope’s call for religious freedom around the world.  I share his concern for Christians in the Middle East, and his desire to see a peaceful and independent Lebanon.  I respect his scholarship, which demonstrates that faith and reason can co-exist.  And I join him in praying for a world at peace, where Christians and Muslims and Jews, believers and non-believers, can live side by side.  And I thank all of you here who work to make this hopeful vision a reality.  (Applause.)

Together, we’ve worked to bring comfort to troubled souls.  We believe that where hearts are burdened by destitution and disease and despair, we must answer with hope and love and faith.  We know that [no] government program can answer the call like our armies of compassion can — but we also know that government programs can support, and must support, their work.  And so I’ve been a strong believer in faith-based and community based effort to bring healing and hope to people who wonder whether or not there’s a bright tomorrow.

The crowd repeated broke into applause.

This is a prayer breakfast.  And this is a perfect place for me to say how much I appreciate the prayers of the people for me and Laura.  I can’t thank our fellow citizens enough for taking time out of their lives to lift us up for prayer.  I have finally begun to understand the story of the calm and the rough seas — (laughter) — and I believe — I believe in my heart of hearts that it’s because of the prayers of my fellow citizens.

And today with the trust in the Lord’s wisdom and goodness, I offer prayers of my own:  for each gathered in the room, for the safety and success of the Holy Father’s visit, and for God’s continued blessings on our great land.