WASHINGTON _ A simple wooden casket bearing the body of evangelist Billy Graham was borne by a military unit on Wednesday into the U.S. Capitol and onto a black-draped catafalque in the Rotunda, where the confidant of presidents and world leaders was to lie in honor until evening.
President Donald Trump led scores of dignitaries _ senators, members of Congress and diplomats _ as well as longtime Graham friends in acclaiming the religious leader, who died at age 99 a week ago.
"He took his message to the poorest places, to the downtrodden and to the brokenhearted, to inmates in prison, and to the overlooked and the neglected," Trump said, standing near the casket during a brief ceremony.
"Everywhere he went, Reverend Graham delivered the same beautiful message: God loves you," the president added. "That was his message: God loves you."
Trump added a rare personal note, recounting how, decades ago, his father, Fred, implored him and his mother to go to see Graham preach at Yankee Stadium. "Americans came in droves to hear that great young preacher," Trump said. "Fred Trump was a big fan."
Congress' Republican leaders also spoke. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky called Graham "just a happy instrument in the hands of his creator." House Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin said Graham "woke up every day" to "share his love of God."
Graham, a confidant to presidents back to Harry Truman, will be buried Friday in North Carolina; Trump is planning to attend that service as well.
