WASHINGTON – Pope Benedict XVI yesterday urged President George W. Bush to use "patient diplomacy to resolve conflicts," but did not mention the Iraq war to which the Vatican is strongly opposed.

"America has traditionally shown herself generous in meeting immediate human needs, fostering development and offering relief to the victims of natural catastrophes," Benedict told a joyous welcoming ceremony at the White House.

"I am confident that this concern for the greater human family will continue to find expression in support for the patient efforts of international diplomacy to resolve conflicts and promote progress," said the pope, on his first visit to the United States since becoming pontiff in 2005.

"In this way, coming generations will be able to live in a world where truth, freedom and justice can flourish -- a world where the God-given dignity and rights of every man, woman and child are cherished, protected and effectively advanced."

Benedict backed international efforts to make the United Nations "an ever more effective voice for the legitimate aspirations of all the world's peoples."

"The need for global solidarity is as urgent as ever if all people are to live in a way worthy of their dignity," he said.

The pope also praised the vibrant religious life in the United States, and urged Americans not to lose sight of the right of "each individual and group (to) make its voice heard.

"Historically ... 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," said the pope.

"As the nation faces the increasingly complex political and ethical issues of our time, I am confident that the American people will find in their religious beliefs a precious source of insight and an inspiration to pursue reasoned, responsible and respectful dialogue in the effort to build a more humane and free society."

Benedict said Tuesday, on the flight from Rome to Washington where he began his six-day visit to the United States that he would raise with Bush the issue of immigration when the two met privately after the welcoming ceremony.

He was also expected to raise US involvement in Iraq, where more than 4,000 US soldiers have died in a war that was strongly opposed by his predecessor, John Paul II.

Pope Benedict XVI on his historic and emotional visit to the White House yesterday thrilled thousands of well-wishers on his 81st birthday.

An estimated 9,000 giddy guests – one of the largest ever at the mansion – packed the sun-drench South Lawn, where the pope received a 21-gun salute and was to hear famed US soprano Kathleen Battle sing "The Lord's Prayer."

Benedict XVI became just the second pope to visit the White House and the first to come here in nearly three decades.*AFP

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