Multitudes Gather for a Glimpse Or, Perhaps, a Touch of the Hand

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Pontiff Begins Historic U.S. Visit in the District

Pope Benedict XVI was greeted with pealing church bells, enthusiastic throngs and gorgeous spring weather during a historic journey across Washington that took him from the green expanse of the South Lawn of the White House to the stone steps of one of the city's most spectacular churches.

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The Rev. Kevin Kelly, a priest from New Brunswick, N.J., said that catching sight of the pope was only part of the reason he drove to Catholic University, where hundreds waited outside while mariachi bands played. "It's a public witness to show the country our joy and our desire to come together as a people of faith," he said.

Amy and Joe Kline drove into the city from Boonsboro, Md., before taking Metro and trudging up Massachusetts Avenue to stand outside the Vatican Embassy with their two small children.

A long journey, yes, but the Klines said they saw no other choice.

"It's like, duh, of course, we have to see him," said Amy Kline, 35, who named her 3-year-old son John Paul after Pope John Paul II because he was born soon after the pontiff died.

She had hoped to name her second son Benedict, she said, but her husband put his foot down: One son named after a pope was enough.

"He was worried that he might get teased with that name," she said. "But we love Benedict just as much as we loved John Paul."

Staff writers William Wan and Daniela Deane contributed to this report.