By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer

The White House is hosting a round table discussion today with members of the Catholic press to talk about the president’s upcoming visit with Pope Benedict.

According to a report on the National Catholic Register blog, their publisher, Father Owen Kearns received an invitation to the meeting via e-mail on June 30. He is believed to be one of about eight religion reporters and editors who will be in attendance.

The purpose of the gathering, according to Chris Hensman, press secretary with the National Security Council, is a “preview of the president’s upcoming visit with Pope Benedict XVI.” The president is meeting with the Pope on July 10.

Father Kearns called the meeting “unprecedented” and said he has never met with a sitting U.S. president, nor has he ever been invited by a president to a White House gathering for members of the Catholic press.

When Father Kearns asked the purpose of the roundtable, he was told, “It’s for the president to inform us, to listen to concerns, and to answer questions.”

“It sounds like what we would call a listening session,” said Father Kearns.

Details of the meeting will be forthcoming.

© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com