Bush did not know that the Cardinal was Christian. "One of the messages I want to say is my meeting with the Patriarch is in no way embracing any religion for Lebanon; it is a way for me to speak to people." He later added that he would not be embracing any religion except Christianity, that is, but insisted that the he did not know that the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Sfayr, was Christian. (thanks Munzir)