In pictures: Pope visits US

Thousands of guests greeted Pope Benedict XVI on his first visit to Washington as leader of the Catholic Church.

He was welcomed by President George W Bush on the South Lawn of the White House with much pomp and ceremony, including a 21-gun salute.

Bands played, and the Pope watched as the US Army's Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps marched past.

There were huge cheers as the Pope and President Bush took the podium for the national anthems of the Holy See and the US.

President Bush told the Pope: "In a world where some evoke the name of God to justify acts of terror and murder and hate, we need your message that God is love."

Pope Benedict urged Americans to use their faith to inspire "reasoned, responsible and respectful dialogue".