D.C. Welcomes Pope Benedict

Pope Benedict spent his first full day in Washington D.C. visiting the White House and other areas. It's his 81st birthday, and he's celebrating with a meal at the Vatican embassy catered by a local chef.

When he left the White House, he sped around Pennsylvania Avenuefor people to see him in his Popemobile. Both fans of the Holy Father as well as protesters (who yelled "Anti-Christ!") lined the streets. Check out these photos from DCist.

Things to note, New Yorkers: The Popemobile goes pretty fast. The Pope wears snazzy red shoes. A cottage industry of unofficial Pope souvenirs will pop up, though And don't give him any Bavarian sausage--it's hard to pack that in his papal luggage!

Photograph of Papal spectators by mosley.brian on Flickr