[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 47 (Monday, November 27, 2006)]
[Pages 2075-2076]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Church Service in Hanoi

November 19, 2006

     Laura and I just had a moment to converse with God in a church here 
in Hanoi. We were touched by the simplicity and the beauty of the 
moment. We appreciate very much the congregation for allowing us to come 
and worship with them.
     A whole society is a society which welcomes basic freedoms, and 
there's no more basic freedom than the basic--the freedom to worship as 
you see fit. And Laura and I were proud to worship with believers here 
in Hanoi. And we, again, thank the church for the opportunity to come 
by. My hope is that people all across the world will be able

[[Page 2076]]

to express religion [religious] * freedom. And it's our way of 
expressing our personal faith and, at the same time, urging societies to 
feel comfortable with and confident in saying to their people, if you 
feel like praising God, you're allowed to do so in any way you see fit.
    * White House correction.
     God bless, and thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 8:14 a.m. at Cua Bac Cathedral.