Washington - Cheers went up along Washington's famed Pennsylvania Avenue from thousands of faithful Catholics and curious onlookers as Pope Benedict XVI waved from his specially designed "popemobile" as he left the White House Wednesday.

Flying banners in Spanish, English and German, they welcomed the pontiff to the United States, yelling "happy birthday" and "we love you."

Youth danced and sang as they waited for the pontiff to pass by, and large groups of Hispanics chanted in Spanish and sang hymns accompanied by guitars.

After Benedict passed slowly by, one woman whiped away tears from her eyes at seeing the German-born Catholic leader.

The effusive welcome came despite harsh criticism of the church in the wake of the priest sexual abuse scandal. But a small group of protestors brought attention to the issue, gathering outside the White House proclaiming "celibacy has failed" and accusing all priests of being child abusers.

Those gathered to cheer Benedict hoped his visit would help to heal the wounds of the abuse and revive the church.

"I just hope we can be one again," said Donna Pitock, a Michigan resident, who had driven from Kentucky with her adult daughter to see the pope.

Benedict met with US President George W Bush before venturing down Pennsylvania Avenue to greet the crowds.(dpa)