Washington: Pope Benedict XVI, who celebrated his 81st birthday at the South Lawns of the White House today, reminded Americans and the world at large that freedom is not only a gift but with it brings personal responsibility.

Addressing the birthday reception held in his honour, the Pope said preservation of freedom called for the cultivation of virtue, self discipline, sacrifice and a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate.

In his welcome address, Bush said, "You will find in America, people whose hearts are open to your message of hope. And America and the world need this message. In a world where some invoke the name of God to justify acts of terror and murder and hate, we need your message that God is love. And embracing this love is the surest way to save men from falling prey to the teaching of fanaticism and terrorism."

The White House visit of the Pope was the first by a papal in 29 years and lasted 90 minutes, during which the Pope spent much of his address talking on the theme of freedom, quoting the late Pope John Paul II who once said that a democracy without values can lose its soul.

"Historically, not only Catholics, but all believers have found here the freedom to worship God in accordance with the dictates of their conscience, while at the same time being accepted as part of a commonwealth in which each individual and group can make its voice heard" the Pope said.

Source : PTI