POPE TO BUSH: 'HAUL ASS' ON IRAQ

Pope John Paul II pressed President Bush on Friday to return sovereignty to Iraq quickly, telling Bush
to 'haul ass' on the situation. The Pope also lectured the President on the abuse of Iraqi prisoners
saying that only the church had the authority to abuse others in such a 'deplorable' manner. Bush,
whose reelection campaign is courting Roman Catholic voters aggressively, did not mention the war in Iraq
during his session with the pontiff, the third meeting between the two. He praised the pope and gave him a
Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian award. Bush also presented the Pontiff with some
Enron stock.

Related: Pope Urges Bush To Hasten Iraq Self Rule