Gordon Brown's diary secretary should be looking for a new job this week as the Prime Minister arrived in the United States on one of the worst timed trips of his career.

Mr Brown's three day trip has been completely overshadowed in the US by the visit of Pope Benedict XVI, who was greeted by the president and cheering crowds on his first official trip to the US.

The Pope's visit has been months in the planning and it's more than a little unfortunate for Mr. Brown that his visit should coincide.

The ceremony to welcome the Pope to the White House is expected to be one of the largest arrival ceremonies ever held at Washington D.C's most famous residence. 12,000 people will attend the event with thousands more expected to line the streets hoping for a glimpse of the Pope as his Pope-mobile drives into town.

One aide said the excitement in the White House was palpable. “It's a big deal” he said.

By contrast, most Americans aren't even aware of the British Prime Minister's trip to the US. Mr Brown can only hope that the lack of pomp surrounding his visit will at least allow him to get on with the more serious matter of sorting out the credit crisis. The Prime Minister will meet with Wall Street bankers to urge them to reveal their financial losses, a move Mr Brown thinks is necessary to help end the global credit crunch.

The prime minister will also meet President George W Bush and Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke to discuss problems with the world market.

The article Pope Benedict XVI eclipses Brown originally appeared on 999 Today