Pope Benedict Celebrates Mass at New York's Yankee Stadium
By VOA News 20-April-2008
Pope Benedict has called for unity among Roman Catholics, in a homily delivered to some 60-thousand people gathered at a New York City baseball stadium.
The pope on Sunday praised the United States as a land where Catholics find freedom not only to practice their faith, but also to participate in civic life. His address was punctuated by applause and cheers from the crowd at Yankee Stadium where the pope celebrated mass.
Earlier in the day, the pope offered prayers and blessings to the victims and rescue workers from the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Pope Benedict held a prayer ceremony at the site in lower Manhattan where the twin towers of the World Trade Center once stood. He then met individually with two dozen survivors and with representatives of victims' families.
Pope Benedict XVI meets with a first responder after praying and lighting a candle at ground zero in New York, 20 Apr 2008
On Saturday, the pope celebrated Mass at New York's landmark St. Patrick's Cathedral and addressed about three thousand priests, bishops and cardinals.
Benedict assured the clergymen of his "spiritual closeness" as they struggle to undo damage caused by priests who sexually abused people, many of them children.
The leader of the world's Roman Catholics urged all the clergy to cooperate with Church leaders working to eliminate the abuse problem.
Washington Barta
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