As head of the Knights of Columbus, I welcome you to the blog we have created for the historic trip of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States. Although he visited this country as a cardinal, this is Pope Benedict’s first U.S. visit since becoming pope three years ago, and American Catholics are very excited to have him here in the United Sates.

As the pope’s visit approaches, and important events of the next several days (April 15-20) unfold, I invite you to post your comments, questions and observations, and above all, to listen to the pope’s message for us, and to keep the success of Pope Benedict’s trip in your prayers.

I think it is a wonderful opportunity for this country that Benedict is coming to meet – and introduce himself personally to – the American people and I know that many will be moved and inspired by the message he has prepared for this country.

A poll that the Knights of Columbus recently commissioned with the Marist Institute shows that although only 25% of Americans are Catholic, 75% of Americans are interested in hearing from him a spiritual message that will touch their daily lives. In addition, the poll indicated that a majority of Americans view Benedict favorably, but a significant portion of the population does not know much about him. This trip is an opportunity for the pope and the people to connect and get to know each other better. I can confidently predict that the personal holiness and genuine openness of Pope Benedict will touch a multitude of hearts and win the approval of many more Americans.

Before opening this blog to your input, allow me to say a few words about the Knights of Columbus. For more than 125 years of our history, the Knights of Columbus has been in solidarity with the Church both locally and globally. We now have more than 1.7 million members worldwide, more than 1 million of them in the United States, making us the largest Catholic family fraternal organization in the world. As Knights, we will listen attentively to the Holy Father and seek to put his message into action for the good of our nation and our communities.

I welcome all of you who visit this blog to post your comments.