It’s the first visit by a Pope since 9/11, and the jet carrying Pope Benedict XVI has landed at Andrews AFB. The Pontiff was met by President Bush and Laura and Jenna Bush. A full schedule of events is set to take place during the Pope’s six-day stay in the USA.

Tonight, we’ll talk with Dr. Deal Hudson, publisher of InsideCatholic.com and author of Onward Christian Soldiers, who notes that Pope Benedict XVI is being greeted by more than cheering crowds: it seems there has been a dramatic rise in the number of stories printed and broadcast about “a Catholic church in crisis” and “Catholics at a tipping point” and so forth.

“There is something terribly perverse and inaccurate about the barrage of media about the “problems” facing Benedict XVI upon his arrival.

Yes, there are problems facing Catholics in the United States, but not the ones being highlighted by most media. They are fixated on dissent about contraception, low morale after the priest-sex scandal, disappointed liberals lamenting the passing of the Vatican II era, and the fringe who still clamor for woman priests and more power to the laity.

The real problems in the Church are those being addressed by Benedict XVI as they were addressed by John Paul II — the institutionalized dissent of established Catholic institutions, such as colleges and universities; the need for younger priests to replace the generation of priests reaching retirement age; the regeneration of liturgical practice after decades of destructive experimentation; and re-commitment of Catholics toward the unchanging truths of the Church amidst a culture of death and moral relativism.”

We’ll take a look at the Pope’s historic visit — his first as Pope, and only the second Pope ever to visit the White House — tonight at 9p ET on my internet webcast. Join us.

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