Good historians and archaeologists don’t sit on their laurels.

AN ENTHRALLED South Lawn crowd of more than 9,000 sang Happy Birthday to Pope Benedict XVI yesterday — twice — and President George W Bush said that the first papal White House visit in 29 years was a reminder for Americans to “distinguish between simple right and wrong”.

The pope’s birthday present from George Bush today comprised at least 9,000 guests on the White House lawn, a 21-gun salute, a famed soprano’s rendition of The Lord’s Prayer and an emotional presidential welcome.

I a recent television programme, the former US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, paid tribute to Pope John Paul II.