US:TRAFFIC CHAOS, armed police lining streets, security screens at church entrances, scuba divers in New York's East River, backpacks banned for pedestrians, no-fly zones - it is business as usual as the US prepares to welcome Pope Benedict XVI tomorrow at the start of his American visit.
The pontiff will carry a message of peace in the Middle East and around the world as he is met by President George Bush at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, at the beginning of a six-day tour that will see him address political leaders in Washington, New York and the UN.
He will also appear before crowds of the faithful at the Nationals stadium in Washington on Thursday and on Sunday at the Yankees stadium in New York.
There will be a strong multi-faith dimension to the visit, Pope Benedict's first US visit since he became head of the Catholic Church. Meetings have been arranged with Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and Jews - though Sikhs will not attend, as they would be required to take off their customary ceremonial daggers.
Security will be particularly tight given the latest pronouncement from Osama bin Laden. Last month a recording of al-Qaeda leader was circulated in which he accused the pontiff of waging a "new crusade" against Muslims.
US homeland security chiefs said they had not changed plans in the light of the Bin Laden audiotape, but they were mindful of what he said. There have also been recent threats from Islamist groups over the Pope's reference in 2006 to a medieval text critical of Muhammad.
This trip is a crucial opportunity for the pontiff to connect with his American flock, the third largest in the Catholic world with more than 67 million followers. Perhaps more importantly, this trip is also a chance for him to step out of the shadow of his globetrotting, media-friendly predecessor, John Paul II.
The late pontiff visited the US seven times over 20 years. During those visits he met six presidents; secured a vast and loyal following among the faithful; kissed tarmac; and released doves into the air. It is a tough act to follow.
The quieter, more scholarly Pope Benedict is a man of words and letters. The pontiff, who turns 81 tomorrow, was first introduced to the American public when he was head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and was charged with investigating paedophilia in churches worldwide, a scandal that has particularly rocked the US Catholic church, eroding its moral authority, costing billions of dollars in compensation to the victims and, in some cases, leading to dioceses filing for bankruptcy.
The pope was accused at the time of failing to investigate abuse claims. During the emerging news on the scandals in December 2002, he said the allegations were part of a "planned campaign" that was "intentional, manipulated" with the aim of discrediting the church.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said the pope would deliver a message of trust and hope when he meets clergy in St Patrick's Cathedral, New York. Omitted from his schedule is Boston, the archdiocese at the centre of the controversy and once the stronghold of American Catholicism.
During the New York stage of the visit, which coincides with the start of the Jewish celebration of Passover, the pope will make the first visit by a pontiff to a synagogue in the US. On Sunday, he will give prayers at Ground Zero for those who died in the 9/11 attacks.
- (Guardian service)