On his way...

Pope Benedict XVI boards plane on his way to the U.S. Wholly Catholic has published the Pope's schedule while here.

From MSNBC:

Benedict believes that part of the reason for the continued success of faith and religion in America is due to the successful separation of church and state. Where historically in Europe the church has been closely aligned with government, and in some cases associated with oppression, the separation of church and state in America has made faith a matter of freedom, allowing it to flourish. The pope will applaud that tradition while trying to keep his remarks distant from the intense election-year atmosphere.

So while Benedict hopes to make his presence felt in a way that might boost the currently flagging attendance at Sunday Mass of only one-out-of-four Catholics, he will do so quietly, which some think may have a more lasting, relevant impact than the dramatic grandeur of the pope-gone-by.