The First Ladies

1 Degree

American First Ladies have traditionally worn black when meeting the pope in an official capacity.  Only in the later half of the 20th Century and afterward have American presidents met popes face to face.  The advent of air travel has allowed this to happen.

To read a presidential etiquette insider's blog on the subject click here.  NPR has a wonderful primer on meeting the pope.  In it are bits of wisdome like

What if the pope approaches me?

Don't just stand there — genuflect. That means bend at the knee, for you non-Catholics.

To read the entire list of suggested manners click here.
Jackie Kennedy had a private audience with the pope, but I'm not sure weather it was John XXIII or Paul VI.   The footage here is of Jackie with John XXIII.

Nancy Reagan met John Paul II with her husband in 1982.  To see this short, historic video, click here.

This was not from the 1982 meeting, but a more informal occasion later
in the Reagan presidency

The Clinton's and John Paul II

The Bushes with Benedict XVI

George W. Bush

1 Degree

George Bush presenting the Medal of Freedom to JPII

Not every president is a great favorite.  It's especially rare for a man to be universally loved and admired while he holds office.  Such is the case with George W. Bush for me.  While his doctrine of preemptive acts of war, suspending Habeas Corpus, and many other policies are distinctly not Catholic, his stance on abortion and euthanasia have been spot on.  As we ponder the presidency of George W. Bush and all the presidents this month, we see that there is no one party that embodies Christian morals and teachings.  There never will be such a party.  It is up to each individual Christian to determine where their vote should go and which party to support in which election.

George W's brother, Jeb, is a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus!  Here is George talking about Benedict XVI's visit to the United States in 2008.  

King Tut, #1

There are three versions of  King Tutankhamun to John Paul II.  I'm presenting them from least interesting to most interesting.  Here is reckoning #1, through points of physical contact.  I'll tell the story through pictures.

3 Degrees

Egyptologists headed by Zahi Hawass unwrap King Tut's mummy

  

Dr. Hawass takes a moment to look into the boy-king's eyes

Preparing Tutankhamun for CT scan

Showing Laura Bush his books

"Hey, Baby, wanna come up and see my antiquities?"

Laura Bush shares a moment with John Paul II

Glenn McDuffie: The Kiss in Times Square Sailor

.

Original photo by Alfred Eisenstadt, Glenn McDuffie 60+ years later

3 Degrees of Separation

2004 Sox, Pedro wins!

Lois Gibson of the Houston Police Department did forensic work on the photograph and concluded that the man in the photograph was Glenn McDuffie.  To find out how she did it, click here!  At a 2008 baseball game between the Houston Astros and the New York Mets, Glenn celebrated his 81st birthday with a song during the seventh inning stretch.  He was hailed as "the kissing sailor."

Glen to Pedro (3): Pedro Martinez was a Met at the time.  Only 4 years earlier, as a member of the Boston Red Sox, Mr. Martinez became a World Series Champion.  GO SOX!


Pedro to George (2): The team was invited to the White House to meet President Bush.

Castel Gandolfo with George and JP2

George to John Paul II (1):  President Bush met John Paul II.