Pope to discuss Iraq with Bush

Pope Benedict XVI plans to discuss the Iraq war and the plight of Christians in Iraq when he meets US President George Bush for the first time this week, the Vatican’s second in command said today.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said Benedict also plans to raise “the big ethical and social questions” of the day when he meets Bush on Saturday at the Apostolic Palace – the first meeting between the two leaders since Benedict was elected Pope in 2005.

“The United States is a great country and the current president is particularly distinguished for several positive initiatives in favour of the defence of life from conception,” Bertone told Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian Bishop’s Conference.

“Some problems remain, however,” he said, citing the Iraq war which the Vatican under Pope John Paul II vigorously opposed, as well as the worsening situation of Christians in Iraq.