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Benedictions: The Pope in America

Pontius Pilate famously asked that question and the Gospel of John provides the answer, as did Pope Benedict XVI in recent days, most notably in his talk to young people at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie in New York: “In seeking truth, we come to live by belief because ultimately truth is a person: Jesus…

The homily that sums up the visit, as the Mass was itself the capstone…

By Daniel Burke c. 2008 Religion News Service NEW YORK — Pope Benedict XVI ended his first trip to America on Sunday (April 20) with a Mass for more than 50,000 at Yankee Stadium that celebrated 200 years of the Catholic Church in America and exhorted his flock to “use wisely the blessings of freedom.”…

Yes, the pope is gone back to Rome. But now is the time to process and learn. So let’s continue with a few more papacy-related quizzes, this time about married popes. Huh? Yes, we’re pretty sure Benedict XVI isn’t married. But what about the other 264? Q: Is it true that some popes were married…

There are a host of online galleries of papal visit images. Here are a few, with updates to come: America magazine. The New York Times gallery. The Washington Post here and here.

Yes, Kelly Clarkson sang “Ave Maria”, and the Pope nearly forgot to read his text in Spanish. But a good time was had by all. And maybe later everyone will go back and read the text of his talk–very meaty, very encouraging, very Benedictine. Text below…

Q: How many popes are saints? Read more from the papal answer man, Chris Bellitto and his new book, 101 Questions on Popes and the Papacy.

At a news briefing just ended, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi sought to quell speculation in news reports (including yesterday’s posting here) that Rome was considering changes in the canonical statute of limitations to make it easier to laicize future clergy abusers. Reports, especially a front-page story in The New York Times today and from…

But Benedict, an avowed animal lover, would surely be pleased by this story from FOX News (via the American Papist) that a young beaver was rescued from the East River during an NYPD security sweep ahead of yesterday’s UN visit. The poor thing is apparenbtly sick, and was taken to an animal hospital. Awaiting updates.…

Benedict’s homily (text below) at the mass with priests and seminarians this morning at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York (the first papal mass ever at the great church) was a heartfelt and often lyrical call for American priests to overcome divisions so that the church can grow once again. “We can only move forward…
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