News from Around the World

We were thinking the exact thing a second ago:

President Bush and a small U.S. delegation will attend Friday’s funeral of Pope John Paul II in Rome, a trip the president yesterday called the ?majesty of celebrating such a significant human life. The president is scheduled to leave Washington tomorrow morning with first lady Laura Bush and three other dignitaries, which could include former Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton. Although the White House said the delegation would be named yesterday, late in the day Bush spokesman Scott McClellan said other members would not be announced...

White House officials said Mr. Bush would leave Wednesday morning for Rome and meet individually with two foreign leaders on Thursday before attending the funeral on Friday. The White House did not say with whom Mr. Bush would meet, but he is likely to see the Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi. Mr. Bush will lead a five-member American delegation, including Laura Bush. White House officials did not say who else was to be included, but Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was expected to be part of the group. The delegation may include the...