A Notre Dame professor widely regarded as a top Latino theologian is taking his message from the classroom to the White House.

Father Virgilio Elizondo, a visiting professor of theology and Latino studies will travel to Washington today for a Tuesday meeting where he's expected to counsel President Bush on issues facing the U.S. Latino population.

At the president's invitation, Elizondo will meet Bush and several Hispanic Catholic bishops Tuesday, according to Father Dan Groody, Elizondo's colleague in the University's theology department and Institute for Latino Studies.

The meeting follows Bush's conference last week with Mexican President Vincente Fox.

"He's been chosen as one of the leading Latino theologians to meet with the president and join these bishops to talk about certain issues that Hispanics deal with today," Groody said Sunday.

In January, Time magazine recognized Elizondo as a spiritual innovator in its series "Time 100: The Next Wave." Elizondo earned the distinction for his attempts to unite the Mexican-American community in his native San Antonio.

As recently as last spring, Elizondo commuted weekly between the University and San Antonio.

Elizondo will be an important voice in Washington as well, Groody said.

"It's not just an important event for him; it should be an important event for the University since he is representing Notre Dame as well," Groody said.

of Tuesday's advising session.

Elizondo is expected to return to campus late Tuesday night.

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