OCONOMOWOC - Celebrating his first visit to the United States as Pope Benedict XVI, the Holy Father will arrive at the White House on Wednesday, his 81st birthday, for a formal welcome reception with President George W. Bush.

Also standing on the south lawn of the executive mansion that day will be the Very Rev. John Yockey, senior pastor at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Oconomowoc.

"This is the official hello to the people of the United States from Pope Benedict XVI. This is a very special occasion ...," Yockey said. "The visit also marks the third anniversary of Benedict’s succession as pope."

Yockey will be a guest of U.S. Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls, who received a limited number of tickets for the reception through the congressional offices. Sensenbrenner said he wanted his Roman Catholic friends and supporters to be part of the historic meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and President Bush.

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Emily Bultman can be reached at ebultman@conleynet.com