Washington, DC—Senator Tom Harkin released the following statement today after attending a special ceremony at the White House to welcome Pope Benedict XVI to the United States:

“I was humbled to have the unique honor of welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the United States for his first Papal visit. I was struck by the timeliness of his Holiness’s message of global solidarity and diplomacy and his call to maintain our commitment to those who are less fortunate. I hope that Pope Benedict’s visit will inspire Americans of all faiths to renew their commitment to the common good.”