Pope Benedict XVI visits New York

Chuck Stewart, Jr.

New York – Pope Benedict XVI arrived in the United States last week to spread his message of hope. Over the next six days he would repeatedly praise the U.S. church, and its 65 million members, in his homily, saying, \”in this land of freedom and opportunity, the church has united a widely diverse flock,\” which has contributed greatly to American society.

On Sunday, the pope was in New York to visit the site of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and offered his blessing. He asked God to, \”Grant that those whose lives were spared may live so that the lives lost here may not have been lost in vain.\”

On that chilly, gray morning, the pope was driven in the popemobile half-way down the construction ramp. He then walked the final steps, knelling and praying before rising to light a memorial candle. The poignant moment was marked with silence as survivors families and public officials watched.

Pope Benedict asked 24 people to join him at ground zero. They included rescue workers, relatives of victims and survivors. \”Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all,\” the pope prayed.

A sole cello player could be heard in the background as Benedict greeted each member of the group individually. He then acknowledged New York Governor David Paterson, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Corzine stated, \”It was one of the most moving moments that I have ever experienced. The conjunction in those circumstances of the tragedy and the evil that occurred on 9/11, with the hope and the peace that is brought by the Pope is an extraordinary statement that hope and peace win out; and that in the long run we will commit to the messages that the Pope has been delivering.\”

Benedict would then head to Yankee Stadium for Sunday’s Mass. There he would be greeted by a festive crowd of 57,000.

The Mass was preceded by a two- hour Concert of Hope, featuring Harry Connick, Jr., Jose Feliciano, Stephanie Mills, Dana, Linera, Ronan Tynan, Marcello Giordani, and area choirs.

The Mass was for the Fifth Week of Easter and it celebrated the bicentennial of the establishment of the Dioceses of Boston, Louisville (formerly Bardstown), New York, and Philadelphia and the elevation of Baltimore to the first Archdiocese of the United States.

Pope Benedict XVI began his homily by noting that the celebration of these anniversaries is a testimony to the growth of the Church in the United States of America. He encouraged the faithful to dedicate their lives in service to God’s kingdom. He called them to, \”move forward with firm resolve to use wisely the blessings of freedom, in order to build a future of hope for coming generations.\” He stated that service of the kingdom of God \”means overcoming every separation between faith and life, and countering false gospels of freedom and happiness. It also means rejecting a false dichotomy between faith and political life.\”

Following the mass, Pope Benedict concluded his apostolic journey to the United States. More than 3,000 people were waiting at JFK Airport to bid him farewell including Vice President Dick Cheney, former President Bill Clinton and US Senator Hillary Clinton.

Prior to departing Pope Benedict gave a brief address thanking U.S. Catholics for their hospitality and for their witness of faith and devotion. He thanked all those responsible for planning the visit.

The Holy Father concluded his visit with these words: \”I ask you to remember me in your prayers, and I assure you of my affection and friendship in the Lord. May God bless America!\”