April 16, 2008 Bush, White House crowd greet Pope Benedict Play video

(NECN/ABC) - Not everyone gets to spend his birthday at the White House, but Pope Benedict XVI was the guest of honor there as he turned 81.

It was one of the largest crowds to ever gather on the South Lawn as President Bush welcomed the pontiff to Washington.

The President and Mrs. Bush introduced the Pope to politicians from both sides of the aisle, like Vice President Cheney and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Boy and Girl Scouts, Knights of Columbus and Knights of Malta all honored the pontiff.

Famed soprano Kathleen Battle sang "The Lord's Prayer," a decision the White House defended as appropriate at a government-sponsored event.

Today marks the 25th meeting between a Roman Catholic pope and a U.S. president.

The Vatican and the Bush White House disagree on many issues, including the death penalty, the Iraq war and Cuba.

Benedict is only the second pope to visit the White House.

ABC's Viviana Hurtado has more.