Pope: trip was opportunity to share hope and faith
Posted: 05.02.08
VATICAN CITY (CNS) | Pope Benedict XVI said his April 15-20 visit to the United Nations and the United States was an opportunity to give – and to receive – a witness to the power of hope and faith.
Reflecting on his trip during his April 30 weekly general audience, the pope said the hope that flows from faith in Christ can vanquish even the darkness cast by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. MORE…
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Spiritual yield of pope’s visit may outweigh costs
Posted: 05.02.08
WASHINGTON (CNS) | While critics of the money spent on the papal visit have argued the funds could have gone to better use by feeding the hungry or providing aid to the needy, Brian Reynolds, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky., said the investment in the event has inspired the faithful and will ultimately help those in need all over the planet.
“It’s good Catholic evangelization in action,” Reynolds said. “Our experience has been that when the faithful are excited about their own church experiences and when people are enthusiastic, evangelization happens. With that outreach and service happens.” MORE…
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Cost of papal trip to U.S. about $12.5 million
Posted: 05.02.08
WASHINGTON (CNS) | Pope Benedict XVI’s recent U.S. visit has been credited with improving his image among Americans, sparking greater interest about him and spurring much-needed evangelization efforts in the country. But those benefits came with a price tag of at least $12.5 million and perhaps much more.
The many dioceses, governments, transportation agencies and hosting facilities involved in the pope’s April 15-20 visits to Washington and New York varied widely in their willingness to provide Catholic News Service with estimated tallies of their expenditures. MORE…
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Tears flow while meeting pope at ground zero
Posted: 05.02.08
CNS | NANCY WIECHEC
Pope Benedict XVI talks with Julie Malik at the former site of the World Trade Center in New York April 20.
WASHINGTON (CNS) | Looking into Pope Benedict XVI’s eyes as she genuflected in front of him during his visit to the former World Trade Center site, Julie Malik knew the pope understood what she had experienced on a disastrous September morning more than six years ago.
“I remember thinking, ‘You’re here. You’re here to help us. You took your time to understand,’” Malik said of the April 20 meeting.
Malik, 57, was one of four survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack in lower Manhattan who met the pontiff during his visit to ground zero. Four rescue workers and 16 people who lost family members in the disaster also met the pope at the site. MORE…
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Impact of pope’s visit is beyond six–day stay, say observers
Posted: 05.02.08
WASHINGTON (CNS) | When Pope Benedict XVI left New York April 20 after his six-day visit to the United States, Catholics were catching their breath from the whirlwind tour and many were trying to figure out what kind of impact the visit would leave in its wake.
The trip – anticipated since last November – prompted a fair amount of guesswork about what the pontiff would and wouldn’t say. Pope Benedict, not swayed by hearsay, frequently reiterated that the theme of the visit was “Christ Our Hope” and stressed his optimism that the visit would prompt “a time of spiritual renewal for all Americans.” MORE…
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Bishop Barbarito: pope’s visit is a time of renewal
PALM BEACH GARDENS | Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito said he was a boy when he saw Pope Paul VI during the church leader’s first visit to America, a significant event marking the first time ever a pope set foot on the continent.
“It was back in 1965,” the bishop said. “I went to Yankee Stadium to see him.”
Bishop Barbarito recently visited New York and Yankee Stadium again, as well as Washington, D.C., to see another pope on his first visit there. MORE…
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Florida Catholics inspired by papal visit
Mass at Yankee Stadium is a fitting finale.
Posted: 04.23.08
NEW YORK | Among Catholics from across Florida at Pope Benedict XVI’s April 20 Mass at Yankee Stadium were students from the University of Miami and Ave Maria University, families with kids in tow, youth groups, young married couples, older retirees, priests and laypeople.
“It was the most inspirational experience that I’ve had in my life,” said Leila Souza, a parishioner of Incarnation Parish in Tampa, who got tickets through the Diocese of St. Petersburg for herself, her mother and two daughters. “To be in the presence of the Holy Father was to bring up my faith in ways that I cannot even explain.” MORE…
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Pope’s ‘spiritual booster shot’
Florida priests, sisters find appreciation and affirmation at papal mass.
Posted: 04.23.08
NEW YORK | One of the things Sister Elizabeth Worley will remember most about the papal Mass she attended April 19 at the Cathedral of St. Patrick is Pope Benedict’s ad-libbed message of gratitude to the assembled priests, deacons and religious.
The pope thanked vowed and ordained men and women for their love of Christ, the church and “this poor successor to St. Peter” in remarks that were not in the pope’s previously distributed text, said Sister Worley, the chief operating officer of the Diocese of Orlando.
“It was touching. This is the successor of St. Peter saying this to us,” she said. “It’s very important to me as a religious. This is my life. It’s not a matter of the job I do. My life is that I am a Sister of St. Joseph, and he thanked us for that gift. This is what the pope says to us,” she said. MORE…
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Voices in the choir, unite
Posted: 04.23.08
NEW YORK | During Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to New York City, I had the honor of singing with the choirs for the papal Masses in Yankee Stadium and the Cathedral of St. Patrick. Singing with these accomplished choirs for such historic events was a once–in–a–lifetime experience I’ll never forget.
A number of Floridians were involved in the musical end of the pope’s visit, including Jacksonville native Dr. Jennifer Pascual, the director of music at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, who was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the music for the papal visit, from repertoire choice to rehearsing the 200-voice Yankee Stadium combined choir; Glenn Osborne, director of liturgical music for the Diocese of Orlando, who arranged Alleluias and Mass parts; and Orlando native Carl MaultsBy, an Episcopalian who arranged Communion hymns for the Yankee Stadium Mass. MORE…
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Educators heartened by Benedict XVI’s support
Posted: 04.23.08
WASHINGTON | Pope Benedict XVI in an April 17 address at The Catholic University of America applauded the work of Catholic educators in the United States and Florida education leaders were renewed and affirmed by his words.
Dominican Sister Linda Bevilaqua, president of Barry University in Miami Shores, said the pope’s powerful message provided a feeling of intense jubilation as he thanked Catholic college and university presidents and diocesan superintendents of education and their institutions for their gifts to the church. MORE…
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Floridians get up early for pope’s first U.S. Mass
DANIEL SOñÉ | FC
At 5 a.m. people are already streaming toward Nationals Park
WASHINGTON | Major League Baseball stadiums are often referred to as “cathedrals of baseball,” but on April 16 the new Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., became a Catholic cathedral, transformed for a Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI for 46,000 of the faithful, including many Floridians fortunate enough to obtain tickets distributed through their dioceses.
Those attending the Mass were encouraged to arrive early. Once inside the stadium they were provided a live show called “Morning Glory” featuring music, interviews and video greetings from dioceses around the country. Also available were confessions and concessions. Priests were on hand to offer the sacrament of reconciliation, and the stadium’s food vendors offered hot dogs (at 6 a.m.?!), Danish pastries, muffins, juice and soft drinks‚ but no beer. MORE…
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State’s bishops gather in D.C. with pope
WASHINGTON | One of the most significant meetings Pope Benedict XVI held on his first pastoral visit to the United States was April 16 with the country’s bishops, in which he affirmed them in their ministry and challenged them to guide their flocks, especially young people.
All of Florida’s bishops attended the meeting in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which was preceded by a short motorcade from the nearby headquarters of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the second opportunity during the day for the public to view the pontiff in the popemobile. MORE…
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Pope says it was ‘joy’ to witness faith of U.S. Catholics
Posted: 04.20.08 | Updated: 04.21.08
CNS | NANCY WIECHEC
Vice President Dick Cheney, his wife Lynne, Archbishop Peietro Sambi, Cardinal Edward M. Egan and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, wave as the plane carrying Pope Benedict XVI departs JFK International Airport in New York April 20.
NEW YORK (CNS) | Thanking Americans for their hospitality, Pope Benedict XVI departed the United States amid a cheering crowd of 4,000 people who had come to see him off.
“It has been a joy for me to witness the faith and devotion of the Catholic community here,” the pope said April 20 in brief remarks to those gathered in hangar 19 at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
“It was heartwarming to spend time with leaders and representatives of other Christian communities and other religions,” Pope Benedict added.
Among those present were Cardinal Edward M. Egan of New York; Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre; Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the U.S.; and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, whose diocese includes the airport. Also in attendance were New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne. MORE…
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Pope achieved objectives critical to future of U.S. church
Posted: 04.20.08
CNS | NANCY WIECHEC
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd as he departs Yankee Stadium after celebrating Mass in New York.
NEW YORK (CNS) | On his first trip to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI achieved three objectives that could be considered critical to the pastoral future of the American church.
First, the pope brought a certain closure to the priestly sex abuse scandal that has shaken the church for more than six years, expressing his personal shame at what happened and praying with the victims.
Second, he set forth a moral challenge to the wider U.S. culture on issues ranging from economic justice to abortion, but without coming across as doctrinaire or bullying. MORE…
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Pope at Yankee Stadium: ‘Move forward’ in faith
Posted: 04.20.08
CNS | NANCY WIECHEC
Pope Benedict XVI uses incense while celebrating Mass at Yankee Stadium in New York.
NEW YORK (CNS) | At Yankee Stadium, transformed into an open-air church April 20, Pope Benedict XVI urged more than 57,000 Catholics to “move forward with firm resolve” in continuing the legacy of faith set in motion by the country’s first Catholics.
“Follow faithfully in the footsteps of those who have gone before you!” he told the stadium congregation on a cool, breezy and overcast afternoon.
“Past generations have left you an impressive legacy,” he said, adding that “on these solid foundations the future of the church in America, must even now begin to rise.”
The congregation welcomed the pope to by waving gold and white handkerchiefs and cheering “Benedetto” (“Benedict” in Italian) upon his arrival and immediately after his homily. MORE…
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At ground zero, pope prays and comforts survivors
Posted: 04.20.08
CNS | NANCY WIECHEC
Pope Benedict XVI prays at site of the destroyed World Trade Center towers in New York April 20.
NEW YORK (CNS) | In the most somber moment of his six-day visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI knelt alone at ground zero and offered a silent prayer.
The cheering crowds were far away as the pope blessed the ground where the World Trade Center stood until terrorists forced planes into its twin towers Sept. 11, 2001.
While the extraordinary security measures that surrounded the pope's entire visit tangibly demonstrated how the attacks changed the United States, the ground zero visit gave the pope an opportunity to speak to and console those whose lives were changed most directly that Sept. 11.
Twenty-four people stood around a candle, a plot of earth and a tiny pond as the pope knelt in prayer; they were the survivors, the family members of the dead and representatives of the New York Port Authority, police and fire departments -- the first responders.
At the bottom of the 70-foot crater where the towers stood, surrounded by steel construction rods, forklifts and steel beams, Pope Benedict did not read a speech. MORE…
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Pope urges youth to banish evils of drugs, poverty, racism
Posted: 04.19.08
YONKERS, N.Y. (CNS) | Addressing a crowd of 25,000 young people and seminarians, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the “monster” that cast a shadow over his own childhood and urged the current generation to banish the darkness that exists today.
Speaking April 19 at a boisterous rally on the grounds of the Archdiocese of New York’s seminary in Yonkers, the pope said that while young people now enjoy democracy’s freedom, “the power to destroy does, however, remain.” MORE…
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Pope blesses disabled youths at Yonkers seminary event
Posted: 04.19.08
YONKERS, N.Y. (CNS) | In the most intimate public event of the papal visit so far, Pope Benedict XVI blessed 56 disabled youths and their caregivers in the chapel of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers April 19.
“God has blessed you with life, and with differing talents and gifts. Through these you are able to serve him and society in various ways,” the pope said. “While some people’s contributions seem greater and others’ more modest, the witness value of our efforts is always a sign of hope for everyone.” MORE…
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Enthusiastic crowd greets pope on New York’s Fifth Avenue
Posted: 04.19.08
NEW YORK (CNS) | Hours before Pope Benedict was scheduled to travel along Fifth Avenue people began lining the barricaded route hoping to get just a glimpse of him.
A group of students from Ave Maria University just outside Naples, Fla., waited five hours in a spot right in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where the pope celebrated a morning Mass for clergy and religious April 19.
Following Mass, the pope rode in his popemobile several blocks from the cathedral to the residence of the Vatican’s U.N. nuncio.
Just before the pope passed by in his popemobile, the Ave Maria students were periodically breaking out in song, singing in Spanish about the pope being Christ on earth. MORE…
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Pope urges U.S. church to ‘put aside all anger’ and unite
Posted: 04.19.08
CNS | GARY HERSHORN, REUTERS
Pope Benedict XVI circles the altar with incense during Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York April 19.
NEW YORK (CNS) | Celebrating Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, Pope Benedict XVI urged the Catholic Church in the United States to move past divisions and scandal toward a “new sense of unity and purpose.”
The pope, celebrating Mass April 19 with bishops, priests, religious and seminarians, once again addressed the damage and suffering caused by the clerical sex abuse scandal and called for a time of purification and healing.
More generally, he said it was time to “put aside all anger and contention” inside the church and embark on a fresh mission of evangelization in society. MORE…
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Pope: divisions weaken Christian witness
Posted: 04.19.08
NEW YORK (CNS) | Using unusually strong words for an ecumenical prayer service, Pope Benedict XVI said the witness of Christians in the world is weakened not only by their divisions, but also by some communities turning their backs on Christian tradition.
“Communion with the church in every age,” he said, is needed particularly “at the time when the world is losing its bearings and needs a persuasive common witness to the saving power of the Gospel.”
The pope met April 18 with about 250 representatives of U.S. ecumenical organizations and a dozen Christian churches and denominations for evening prayer at St. Joseph’s Church in New York. MORE…
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At synagogue, pope encourages ‘bridges of friendship’
Posted: 04.19.08
NEW YORK (CNS) | In a brief, movingly simple visit to a New York synagogue, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his respect for the city’s Jewish community and encouraged the building of “bridges of friendship” between religions.
The encounter April 18 marked the first time a pope has visited a Jewish place of worship in the United States, and it came a day before the start of the Jewish Passover. MORE…
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Floridian recalls service in Rome
Posted: 04.18.08
For Naples resident Francis Rooney, the most memorable time of his two and a half years as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican was the opportunity for him and his family to meet Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
“I had a fairly long discussion with him after my family left the room,” Rooney told the Florida Catholic the week before the pope was scheduled to arrive in Washington for his first pastoral visit to the United States. “It was very rewarding to see how much symmetry there was between the values” of the Holy See and the United States. MORE…
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Florida Jewish leaders meet with pope
Posted: 04.18.08
Two Floridians whose life’s work has been to build relationships between the Jewish and Catholic communities said they welcomed the opportunity to be among 150 Americans from five non-Christian traditions in the audience for Pope Benedict XVI’s April 17 speech on interreligious cooperation in public life.
But for Rabbi James Rudin and Bernardo Benes – both of whom were invited to the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., to represent the Jewish people at the interfaith gathering – the evening became even more meaningful after that meeting adjourned. Because the solemn observance of Passover was to begin in a couple of days, at sunset April 19, Pope Benedict invited the Jewish contingent to join him afterward for a special message and blessing. MORE…
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Unlocking the meaning of the pope’s U.N. message
Posted: 04.18.08
UNITED NATIONS (CNS) | Pope Benedict XVI gave the United Nations a dense and complex speech April 18. Here are four key phrases to help unlock its meaning: MORE…
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Pope at U.N.: human rights cannot be limited
Posted: 04.18.08
UNITED NATIONS (CNS) | Neither government nor religion has a right to change or limit human rights, because those rights flow from the dignity of each person created in God’s image, Pope Benedict XVI said.
In his April 18 speech to the U.N. General Assembly, the pope insisted that human rights cannot be limited or rewritten on the basis of national interests or majority rule. MORE…
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Pope meets privately with victims of priestly sexual abuse
Posted: 04.17.08 – Updated: 04.18.08
WASHINGTON (CNS) | Pope Benedict XVI held an unscheduled meeting with victims of priestly sexual abuse, shortly after pledging the church’s continued efforts to help heal the wounds caused by such acts.
The Vatican said the pope met privately in a chapel at the apostolic nunciature with “a small group of persons who were sexually abused by members of the clergy.” The group was accompanied by Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, which was the epicenter of the abuse scandal. MORE…
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Pope affirms U.S. Catholic educators, urges continued commitment
Posted: 04.17.08
WASHINGTON (CNS) | In an address to U.S. Catholic educators April 17, Pope Benedict XVI thanked them for their work and urged them to continue to bring their students to a deeper understanding of faith “which in turn nurtures the soul of a nation.”
“A particular responsibility … for each of you, and your colleagues, is to evoke among the young the desire for the act of faith, encouraging them to commit themselves to the ecclesial life that follows from this belief,” he told more than 400 Catholic college presidents and diocesan education representatives at The Catholic University of America. MORE…
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Dialogue discovers truth, pope tells interreligious leaders
Posted: 04.17.08
WASHINGTON (CNS) | Pope Benedict XVI encouraged interreligious leaders to work not only for peace but for the discovery of truth.
The pope told about 200 representatives of Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism gathered at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington April 17 “to persevere in their collaboration” to serve society and enrich public life. MORE…
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Pope emphasizes special bond of Catholics and Jews
Posted: 04.17.08
WASHINGTON (CNS) | During a special meeting with Jewish representatives, Pope Benedict XVI emphasized the special bond Catholics and Jews share and reaffirmed the church’s 40-year commitment to dialogue with the Jews.
Noting a “shared hope for peace in the world,” Pope Benedict also asked for God’s mercy to “inspire all those responsible for the future of” the Middle East “to new efforts, and especially to new attitudes and a new purification of hearts.” MORE…
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Bishops feel hopeful, optimistic after meeting with pope
Posted: 04.17.08
WASHINGTON (CNS) | Bishops from across the country left their April 16 meeting with Pope Benedict XVI feeling more hopeful and optimistic about their work and the future of the U.S. Catholic Church.
From the issue of the clergy sex abuse scandal to challenges posed by an increasingly secular society, bishops contacted by Catholic News Service said the pope’s message of hope grounded in deeper prayer, renewal and strong leadership is one which they can take back to their home dioceses. MORE…
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D.C. papal Mass a multicultural mix of ancient and modern
Posted: 04.17.08
CNS | JOSHUA ROBERTS
Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges the enthusiastic crowd as Mass concludes at Nationals Park in Washington April 17. Thousands turned out for the pope's first public Mass of his pastoral visit to the U.S.
WASHINGTON (CNS) | The liturgical celebration of Pope Benedict XVI’s April 17 Mass in Nationals Park reflected the diversity of Catholic heritages and sensibilities reflected in the Archdiocese of Washington, where the Mass was held.
It acknowledged both the roots of tradition and the branches that have sprouted from those roots.
The prayer of the faithful was recited in six languages -- English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Igbo. The sung response to the intentions incorporated three languages: English, Latin and Spanish.
The first reading -- the account of how the apostles started speaking in tongues unknown to them at the first Pentecost -- was proclaimed in Spanish.
Music composed in the 40 years since the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council was included, as were ancient Latin texts set to chant -- and a Latin-language Gloria written in the past decade. MORE…
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Pope urges U.S. Catholics to renew their missionary energy
Posted: 04.17.08
CNS | JOSHUA ROBERTS
Pope Benedict XVI waves from the popemobile as he enters Nationals Park to celebrate Mass in Washington April 17. Thousands turned out for the pope's first public Mass of his pastoral visit to the U.S.
WASHINGTON (CNS) | Celebrating Mass in a Washington baseball stadium, Pope Benedict XVI urged U.S. Catholics to renew their missionary energy at a time when American society is at a moral crossroads.
The pope warned of “signs of a disturbing breakdown in the very foundations of society” and said people need the church’s message of hope and fidelity to the demands of the Gospel.
He also confronted the question of clerical sexual abuse of minors, acknowledging the damage done to the church and asking all Catholics to help assist those who have been hurt.
The Mass April 17 at a packed Nationals Park was the pope’s first major encounter with the Catholic faithful on his six-day visit to Washington and New York. MORE…
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Pope: sex abuse scandal ‘countersign’ to Gospel of life
Posted: 04.16.08
CNS | NANCY WIECHEC
Bishops listen as Pope Benedict XVI addresses the U.S. hierarchy in the crypt church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception April 16 in Washington.
WASHINGTON (CNS) | One of the “countersigns to the Gospel of life” in the United States is the sexual abuse of minors, a situation “that causes deep shame,” Pope Benedict XVI told about 300 U.S. bishops gathered April 16 in the crypt church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
He called it an “evil” and said the U.S. bishops have “rightly moved” to address it. The programs they have put in place to discipline priests and other church personnel who are abusers, to create safe environments protecting young people, to foster healing and to “bind up the wounds” caused by “such breach of trust” are bearing fruit, he said.
But the pope also said the problem of sex abuse must be placed in a wider context when pornography, violence and “the crude manipulation of sexuality” are so prevalent in society today. MORE…
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Bush, pope exchange gifts accompanied by lemon cake
Posted: 04.16.08
CNS | ALESSIA GIULIANI, CATHOLIC PRESS PHOTO
Pope Benedict XVI blows out a candle on a birthday cake presented to him at the White House April 16 when he turned 81.
WASHINGTON (CNS) | With the formal greetings out of the way, Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush got down to serious business during their historic White House meeting April 16 – the exchanging of presents.
On his 81st birthday, the pontiff received a lead crystal cross sculpture and a collection of American classical and religious compact discs from the president.
Even though the date didn’t mark a birthday, anniversary or any other landmark occasion for Bush, the pope gave him a framed mosaic of St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
According to the Vatican press office, the mosaic belongs to an 18th-century style of panoramas and is based on a printing from the 19th century.
But no birthday would be complete without cake, so the White House served a four-layer, square lemon pound confection with lemon curd filling and vanilla fondant frosting.
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Long waits, chilly start don’t deter crowd at White House
Posted: 04.16.08
WASHINGTON (CNS) | Thousands of Americans – not all of them Catholic – filled the South Lawn of the White House for the April 16 arrival ceremony welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the White House.
They rearranged schedules on short notice and got up earlier than usual, in some cases a lot earlier than usual, to meet all the security requirements for Pope Benedict’s first U.S. visit as pontiff.
Suzanne Wallace of Alexandria, Va., got a South Lawn ticket courtesy of her daughter, Kathryn, who works in the White House as general counsel in its Office of Administration. Kathryn Wallace was on hand, too, gently reminding her mother to have a snack during a wait that lasted up to three hours for some. MORE…
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“Happy Birthdays” mark the pope’s 81st
Posted: 04.16.08
WASHINGTON (CNS) | At 5:21 a.m., the disc jockey on a country music radio station in Fredericksburg, Va. -- 50 miles south of Washington -- invited listeners to join her in singing “Happy Birthday” to Pope Benedict XVI.
On the South Lawn of the White House, dignitaries, bishops and guests joined in an impromptu rendition of the song.
Pope Benedict celebrated his 81st birthday in Washington April 16 and heard “Happy Birthday” numerous times. He also ate a birthday luncheon of special Italian fare with U.S. cardinals and received some uncommon gifts from Catholic school students.
The pope, who was staying at the Vatican Embassy while in Washington, was greeted by Catholic school students in a private ceremony at the embassy before the official start to the second day of his April 15-20 pastoral visit to the U.S. MORE…
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Pope, Bush discuss fighting terrorism while respecting human rights
President Bush and thousands welcome Pope Benedict XVI to the United States before the pope’s private meeting with the president.
Posted: 04.16.08
CNS | JOSHUA ROBERTS
Pope Benedict XVI watches the Fife and Drum Corps pass during a welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington April 16. Pope Benedict XVI, who is on a three day visit to Washington, will say Mass at Nationals stadium before traveling to the New York where he will address the United Nations.
WASHINGTON (CNS) | In a meeting at the White House, Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush discussed the problem of terrorism and how to confront it while respecting human rights.
The two leaders also expressed their joint concern for the protection of human life, marriage and the family, according to a statement issued after a private meeting April 16. They also prayed for the institution of the family.
“The two reaffirmed their total rejection of terrorism as well as the manipulation of religion to justify immoral and violent acts against innocents,” the statement said.
“They further touched on the need to confront terrorism with appropriate means that respect the human person and his or her rights,” it said.
The encounter was the pope’s first official event of his April 15-20 visit to the United States, and it began with a public welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, attended by thousands of well-wishers. MORE…
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Papal Chase begins
Posted: 04.15.08
Florida Catholic Associate Publisher, Christopher Gunty is on the trail of Pope Benedict XVI during the pope’s pastoral visit to the capital of the United States. In addition to reporting on the events and activities for our Web special and print editions, Chris will be sharing the “papal chase” experience with regular Web log postings. Keep up with his background observations and musings HERE, or click on the “Papal Chase” link.
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Pope Benedict greeted by Bush as he begins first U.S. visit
Posted: 04.15.08
CNS | NANCY WIECHEC
Pope Benedict XVI arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, just outside of Washington, April 15. The pontiff was beginning his first visit as pope to the United States. He will celebrate two large outdoor Masses in Washington and New York and will address the United Nations.
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (CNS) | Welcomed by U.S. President George W. Bush and an array of church officials, Pope Benedict XVI began his first pastoral visit to the United States as pope April 15.
The papal plane landed under an almost cloudless sky at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland at 3:51 p.m. EDT, nearly 10 minutes ahead of schedule. The pope was to spend the next two days in Washington before traveling to New York April 18.
Among those greeting the pope were Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States; Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington; Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services; Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., USCCB vice president; and Mary Ann Glendon, U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. MORE…
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Pope hopes to help heal wounds of priestly sex abuse
Posted: 04.15.08
CNS | DARIO PIGNATELLI, REUTERS
Pope Benedict XVI boards a plane at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport April 15 as he leaves for his April 15-20 pastoral visit to the United States.
ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO THE U.S. (CNS) | Pope Benedict XVI said he hoped to help heal the wounds of priestly sex abuse during his visit to the United States and promised steps to ensure that such acts do not happen again.
The pope made his remarks to reporters aboard his chartered Alitalia jet April 15, about an hour after taking off from Rome for his April 15-20 visit to Washington and New York City.
The pope stood at the front of the coach class of the plane and answered four questions chosen in advance, touching on topics of immigration, church-state relations and the United Nations.
Asked what he would have to say about the clerical sex-abuse scandal in the U.S., the pope said the church should work for justice and help the victims as much as possible. MORE…
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No free-for-all: Papal visits follow tight framework
Posted: 04.13.08
VATICAN CITY | When Pope Benedict XVI sits down with interreligious leaders in Washington April 17, the participants will follow a set program that leaves little room for surprises.
Likewise, the pope’s meeting the next day in New York with ecumenical representatives features prayers, talks and symbolic gestures, but not free-ranging dialogue.
Those who have followed papal trips for years know that this is how it’s always been. With rare exceptions, a pope’s events are highly structured -- and there are good reasons for that, according to his aides. MORE…
Missal for papal liturgies is online
Posted: 04.11.08
CNS
The papal coat of arms decorates the cover of the Roman Missal to be used during the pastoral visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States April 15-20.
If you have an interest in following the Mass that the pope will celebrate at Nationals Park in Washington, more fully, or evening prayer at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, you’ve been blessed.
A special version of the Roman Missal prepared for the liturgies that Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate at all venues has been made available online by the Vatican. The missal is a 113 page PDF (Adobe® Portable Document Format) document that downloads quickly.
The missal also contains some interesting insight and nuggets about special moments.
For example, at the concluding rite of the Mass at Nationals Park, the pope will bless the new cornerstone and tabernacle of Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School in the Diocese of Arlington, VA and the cornerstone of the new chapel of Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA.
Posted By: Ed Foster Jr. | Background | Return To Top
Children to Pope Benedict XVI:
Relax on your birthday, let us do the work
Posted: 04.10.08
LINDA REEVES | FC
(Left to right) Britton Glynn, Katie Humes, Catie Wegman, Sean Denes and Sabrina Probst design, cut and tie cloth to make a blanket as part of a service project at All Saints School in Jupiter. The on-going project is called “Katie’s Kovers” and was created to honor the memory of Kaitlin Charlton, an All Saints student who died in 2005 at age 13 of a brain tumor. The blankets are distributed to adults and children at hospitals.
Happy Birthday, Pope Benedict XVI! The Catholic students of Florida and the rest of the United States present you with countless gifts of acts of love wrapped with generosity and self-sacrifice in lovely packages of goodness tied with ribbons of kindness and gently topped with bows of peace and joy.
“Happy Birthday, and I hope you have a great day and great year. We’re helping out so you don’t have anything to worry about. Relax and have a great birthday, because we’re taking care of everything else,” said Christian Biggs, a seventh-grader at St. Anthony Catholic School in Lakeland, expressing his wish for the Holy Father. Christian’s gifts to the pope include serving at the altar, helping out in classrooms and participating in his school’s going-green efforts by picking up trash and cleaning school grounds. MORE…
Pope wants to bring message of hope to U.S., U.N.
Posted: 04.08.08
VATICAN CITY | In a videotaped message, Pope Benedict XVI said he wants to bring a message of Christian hope to all Americans and to the United Nations when he visits in mid-April.
“I shall come to the United States as pope for the first time to proclaim this great truth: Jesus Christ is hope for men and women of every language, race, culture and social condition,” the pope said.
He said he intends to reach out spiritually to U.S. Catholics and show fraternity and friendship to other Christians, to followers of other religions and to all people of good will. MORE…
Background | Return To Top | Text of Pope Benedict XVI’s Message
Tracking details avoids Mass confusion
Posted: 04.07.08
CNS | ALESSIA GIULIANI, CATHOLIC PRESS PHOTO
Msgr. Guido Marini, the pope’s master of liturgical ceremonies, is pictured in his office at the Vatican April 4. He is among the officials who will be traveling to the United States with Pope Benedict XVI.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) | From the huge windows of his office overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict XVI’s chief liturgist can, and does, keep track of every detail that goes into preparing a papal liturgy.
The papal venues in the United States are not directly under his nose, but Msgr. Guido Marini still knows every detail of the two evening prayer services and three Masses Pope Benedict will celebrate in Washington and New York April 15-20.
Msgr. Marini, 43, did not plan every element of the five U.S. services, as he does with Vatican services, although he did make suggestions and did have veto power. MORE…
Carpenter says building altar for papal Mass is ‘awesome’
Posted: 04.04.08
CNS | MICHAEL HOYT, CATHOLIC STANDARD
Deacon Dave Cahoon works in his St. Joseph’s Carpentry Shop crafting the furniture that will be used at the April 17 Mass with Pope Benedict XVI at Nationals Park in Washington.
POOLESVILLE, Md. | For Deacon Dave Cahoon, working at his St. Joseph’s Carpentry Shop on a quiet country road in Poolesville, this year’s Holy Week was one like no other.
“How awesome is this? It’s Holy Thursday, and I’m working on the altar for the Eucharist, for the papal Mass. How awesome is that?” he said, smiling.
With a hammer and chisel, the carpenter worked on a long maple board for the base of the altar that Pope Benedict XVI will use for his April 17 Mass at Nationals Park in Washington. MORE…
Popemobile arrives
Posted: 04.03.08
Pope Benedict XVI’s popemobile is transported on a flatbed truck along Interstate 295 near Wilmington, Del., April 2. An air cargo company had the popemobile, made by Mercedes–Benz, sent from the Vatican to the U.S. in time for the pope’s April 15–20 visit.
CNS | JOHN RANDOLPH, REUTERS
We’re off to see the pontiff
Posted: 04.02.08
Despite 18 months of fundraising, this summer’s World Youth Day in Australia remained out of reach for the teens at St. Paul of the Cross in North Palm Beach. But even as economic realities were closing the door on the youths’ hopes of seeing Pope Benedict XVI in person, the Vatican’s travel planners were opening a window.
“When we heard the pope was coming to New York we moved on it,” said St. Paul youth minister Paul Chesnes. The group has raised nearly $15,000 and will use it for a “family pilgrimage” for about 30 children, parents, grandparents and young adults during the pope’s mid-April visit to the United States, he said.
They will be among scores of Floridians heading to Masses, meetings and other events in New York and Washington, D.C., during Benedict XVI’s first papal trip to the United States April 15-20. MORE…
Cardinal: papal visit, like one in ‘79, will be ‘time of grace’
Posted: 04.01.08
WASHINGTON | The 1979 visit of Pope John Paul II to the nation’s capital “was a great gift,” as will be Pope Benedict XVI’s April 15-17 trip to Washington, said Cardinal William W. Baum.
The cardinal, now retired, was Washington’s archbishop from 1973 to 1980 and hosted Pope John Paul’s visit.
He recalled that those who had to prepare for it had only a short time to get ready. MORE…
Florida Catholic Web special for Pope’s visit debuts
Posted: 04.01.08
A special Web presentation covering the visit of Pope Benedict’s XVI to the United States is now online. Over the next two weeks, we will be working to keep our readers informed with background articles, advance stories on how Floridians and others are preparing for this historic journey and, upon the pope’s arrival, near “real-time” coverage of his activities and events from Washington and New York.
Prior to the pope’s arrival, new information and articles will be posted here daily. During the pope’s visit, our site will be updated frequently throughout each day.
In addition to the resources of Catholic News Service, Florida Catholic writers and photographers will be on hand in Washington and New York to bring you a Catholic perspective online as well as in the print editions. MORE…
Posted By: Ed Foster Jr. | Preparation | Return To Top