Pope Benedict XVI has received an unprecedented Presidential greeting from George W Bush after arriving for his first official visit to the US.
Bush and his wife Laura were waiting on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base when the Pontiff's plane touched down.
During his six-day visit, the head of the Catholic Church will address the UN and lead prayers at Ground Zero.
Before arriving the Pope told reporters on board his plane that he was "deeply ashamed" of sexual abuse by US clergy.
Pope Benedict, who was elected three years ago, vowed to work against a recurrence of the crisis, which tarnished the Church's reputation, saying "we will absolutely exclude paedophiles from the sacred ministry".
In recent years, the US Catholic Church, which has around 65 million followers, has paid $2bn (£1bn) to settle clergy sexual abuse cases.
The BBC's David Willey, who is travelling with the Pope, says that damage limitation over past scandals is not the main purpose of the Pontiff's first trip to the US though.
Our correspondent says he wants to deliver a message of Christian hope to American Catholics and non-Catholics alike, describing his journey as a pilgrimage to a "great people and a great country".
Hundreds of spectators had turned out for Pope Benedict's arrival at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington.
The crowds cheered and clapped as he made his way onto the runway to be met by Bush, his wife Laura and daughter Jenna.
On Wednesday, the Pope will pay a formal call upon Bush at the White House.
Source: DDNEWS
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