pope gets special yank award

Mr Bush looked on with respect but impassively as the Pope delivered his speech. He replied with the presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the US's highest civilian honour, for the Pope's defence of "the unique integrity of every life and all life" and his role in the toppling of totalitarian communism in eastern Europe.

But outside the atmosphere was less harmonious. Thousands of armed police patrolled Rome in anticipation of large numbers of protesters gathering from across Italy to demonstrate against the Iraq war and the Italian government's support for Mr Bush.

Mr Berlusconi said he was "worried about the possible violence" and the US embassy warned Americans to avoid the crowds massed for the protests.

reactionary oligarchy with supposedly secular yet strongly militant ideology paying respect where respect is due..