Washington: President George W Bush is giving a White House dinner for Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday, and the pontiff is not going to be there.

Bush will go to Andrews Air Force Base in Washington s suburbs on Tuesday to welcome the pope on his first visit to the United States since his election as pontiff in 2005. On Wednesday there will be a formal welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House with up to 12,000 guests.

White House planners are anxious about getting that many people through the metal detectors and in place for the splashy ceremony at midmorning.

Afterward, the president and the pope will meet in the Oval Office. Later that day, the pope will attend a prayer service with US bishops.

Wednesday night's dinner, hosted by the president, will be in the East Room, which normally contains little furniture and traditionally is used for large gatherings such as news conferences, bill-signing ceremonies, awards presentations and after-dinner entertainment.

"It's in honour of his visit," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said. "There will be leaders from the Catholic community from all over the country who are in town for that visit."

He said he did not know why the pope would not attend.

Source : PTI