WASHINGTON, Afghanistan, April 4 (UPI) -- President Bush will lead the U.S. delegation to Rome for the funeral of Pope John Paul II, the White House said Monday.
Spokesman Scott McClellan said first lady Laura Bush would accompany him. Other members of the delegation would be announced later.
Bush would be the first U.S. president to attend a funeral of pope. The elaborate service was scheduled for Friday.
Bush's scheduled appearance in South Carolina Thursday to promote Social Security reform would be canceled, McClellan said, and his Friday visit to Fort Hood to speak on the war in Iraq and terror would be rescheduled for a later date.
Bush's meeting at his ranch Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon would take place as scheduled.
