WASHINGTON (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI presided over a Mass celebrated in 10 languages Thursday, calling the United States a land of opportunity and hope but decrying that the nation's promise has been left unfulfilled for some.
At the first public Mass of his U.S. pilgrimage, Benedict mixed praise for the American experience with an effort to touch consciences, something he has been doing since the start of his trip on Tuesday.
More than 45,000 people filled Nationals Park on a clear spring day, as the pope, wearing scarlet vestments, led the service from an altar erected in centerfield of the recently inaugurated baseball stadium. Rows of red-robed church leaders joined him. The enthusiastic crowd burst into cheers when Benedict entered the stadium in his popemobile.
His homily was more somber. Benedict examined American society, saying he detected anger and alienation, increasing violence and a "growing forgetfulness of God."
"Americans have always been a people of hope," he said. "Your ancestors came to this country with the experience of finding new freedom and opportunity.
"To be sure, this promise was not experienced by all the inhabitants of this land; one thinks of the injustices endured by the native American peoples and by those brought here forcibly from Africa as slaves."
It was not the first time on the trip that the pontiff has delicately critiqued his host nation.
Speaking to his American bishops Wednesday, he said the U.S. must be welcoming to immigrants, helping them to flourish in their new homes.
Following a White House visit, a joint statement from the U.S. and the Vatican hinted that Benedict raised concerns with President Bush about punitive immigration laws. It said the leaders discussed "the need for a coordinated policy regarding immigration, especially the humane treatment of immigrants and the well-being of their families."
The statement also said Bush and Benedict "touched on the need to confront terrorism with appropriate means that respect the human person and his or her rights" — an apparent reflection of the Vatican's strong condemnation of the mistreatment of prisoners.
During Thursday's Mass, Benedict worried about divisions among Catholics, and what he called the "troubling realization" that many are not following church teaching.
Benedict also turned for a third day to the clergy sex abuse scandal that has plagued the American church since 2002, saying "no words of mine could describe the pain and harm inflicted by such abuse."
He called on parishioners to help with healing, reconciliation and assistance to the victims, but he also urged his flock to "love your priests, and to affirm them in the excellent work that they do."
At 5:45 a.m., more than four hours before the Mass, it was standing-room only on subways. Vendors hawked Vatican flags and souvenir buttons, but there were few takers as people hurried toward the stadium.
For others, there was nothing more important than getting in, and many people without tickets stood outside the subway station with signs pleading for extras.
Patty Trail, 54, pastoral associate at a church in Virginia Beach, Va., drove overnight to bring two priests to the Mass. She didn't have a ticket but said she was happy to at least be in the vicinity of the pope. Continue >>
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Comments
I'm back and I brought presents for everyone.
Steen-
Wrong. If you are talking about the Aztecs you are wrong. The Franciscan brothers came to mexico prepared. After five-hundred years of converting they were prepared to deal with the pagans. They knew it would take roughly 3 generations of monks to convert them. The conquistadors were NOT prepared. They were scared of these people that sacrificed their babies. So they forced them to become Catholic. The Catholic Church ITSELF was prepared... the catholic conquistadors were not. And you want to talk about slavery? BRING IT ON! The KJV was used in the states to support the enslavement of blacks. The Catholic bibles were not. Catholics (few as they were) did NOT own slaves. The Catholics would have just been coming from Europe and in Europe (thanks to the catholic church) slavery was illegal and was seen as disgusting. And we did not force them to build missions... what are you talking about? "The Pope ought to clean up his church before he engages in this dragon speak" umm that was like five hundred years ago, what you brought up... Oh we used a golden cup. Stone us if we want to glorify God's blood! You are one of the most ignorant twits on here.
Hyperion-
Sorry, it is a faith. We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. What do u mean during the Dark Ages, catholicism was a religion? You also imply that the Catholic Church created Islam... that's a stupid opinion you've drawn. The Church itself wasn't selling souvenirs, but individual people were. The RCC is about profiteering eh? Just because we are the most business savvy religion, doesn't mean anything. Look at the televangelists for christ's sake! When jesus visited, people sold palms.
Online4Him-
Oh sure, unchristlike, just like the Protestant KKK and Orange Army, and Elizabethan Inquisition and the list goes on and on. You're saying that the popes are worse than the KKK? Please. You're pathetic. As for the few bad popes there were, most of them were of the Medicci family, who was shown to have bought their way into it.
Wilderness-
The pope is a great man, it would be something to see him. Just like you might rave about meeting one of your favorite heathan pagan televangelists.
Star2-
"Such blaspheme such blaspheme" stop whining and get over it. They can give him any title they choose because he is a man of great holiness. And he is the representative of Christ. So shut your mouth and stop crying : )
Online-
Where did catholics say that all had to submit to the pope? Where was that? I think you're lying ; )
Why is the Pope reminding us in the United States about slavery and oppression? It was the Catholic church that enslaved the first Indians and forced them to build thier missions. They were beat for speaking "heathen languages" and forced to speak Spanish. The Pope ought to clean up his own church first, before all this dragon speak.
What colors were the Pope and his priests dressed in? They were dressed in scarlet and in the United States they wore scarlet and purple......I also saw a golden cup......sounds like the Beast has all the world wondering after her.
EvanCal,
When Catholics state that “ALL” must submit themselves to the pope in order to be saved, what do you think that means? It means first and foremost that they have elevated their pope in the place of Christ and are preaching another gospel. How does a “Reformed” pastor become so enthralled with Catholicism? What type of “Reforming” are you actually pursuing; this is an honest question?
You have said that I should be more loving, that I am being a poor witness, and that I have come to some very “odd conclusions from scripture.”
Yet, when I asked you to comment on the unloving ANATHEMAS that Rome pronounces upon those who trust in Christ alone; you gave NO answer. I asked you to ELABORATE upon “my odd conclusions from scripture” - you gave NO answer. I asked what kind of WITNESS you are giving by placating Catholicism and neglecting to preach the gospel; you gave NO answer.
Care to respond?
EvanCal
You said to Online4Him:"No Catholic would ever compare a Pope to Christ."
Pope means papa and a papa in the spiritual sense. Jesus said to call no on your father (in a spiritual sense) because you have only one Father, god the Father, who is in heaven.
When Jesus was praying to God the Father He addressed Him as 'Holy Father'. To give that title to anyone else is blaspheme. When you do so, then you have removed God off His throne and replaced Him with the person you gave that title to. Thus, to call the Pope, Holy Father, is to remove God from the throne and place the Pope there. The Pope has become God to the Catholic people. I know they will disagree but that is what they have done. I even heard a Catholic Newscaster on Fox News refer to the Pope as Jesus on the Earth. Such blaspheme.
No offense, but your education has given you no understanding of the Word of God. You would be wise to throw it out, get on your knees, and ask God to give you understanding of the Word of God and start teaching the truth so people aren't led astray.
Online4Him will give you a better response I am sure.
Online,
No Catholic would ever compare a Pope to Christ. Are you kidding Me? Is this the type of rhetoric that you have to resulted too? Again, shame on you for attacking their faith with silly accusations. Did you watch the Mass on TV?
The Pope at both the NY MASS and the DC Mass spoke about how Jesus is the only way, that we must all follow Him and that only through Jesus do we have salvation. He also spoke about how it is his job as supreme leader of this Catholic Church to encourage people to focus on the face of Christ and the freedom that can only be found in Christ. The Pope also spoke about how Christ is our only true Hope. People do not worship the Pope, they simply look to him for leadership. The Pope like the Apostles and like Mary simply points the flock to Jesus, immitates Jesus in holiness and says, "Do whatever Jesus tells you."
As a Protestant we should all say AMEN WIITH EVERYTHING HE SAID. ONLINE, start living in the 21st Century and stop living in the Charactures of the Catholic Church from the 17th Century. Also, you have shown you have done ZERO studying on the Popes. There has been 266 Popes in 2000 years and only 11 Popes were historically bad men. The majority of these men lived and died for Christ and the Gospel and if you did any objective reading of history you would see this! Stop this straw man arguement. By the way, 11 Bad popes out of 266 Popes who lived saintly lives is better odds than that of the original 12 called by Jesus and one turned out horrible--Judas. Much better odds.
Let's keep these great articles coming. I know they are enlightening people to the Catholic faith. Thank you!
Article: "My dream has always been to see the pope."
Bible: "Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore" (Ps 105:4).
To be living in this day and age with so much information at our finger tips is a blessing. We are able to look back in history and see that the lives of the popes with their unchristlike acts do not compare to the spotless lamb of God (Jesus Christ.
Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, where he would be crucified five days later. According to the Gospels, Jesus rode into town on a donkey as exuberant crowds hailed him as the Messiah and spread out palm branches and cloaks in his path.
I guess if you were there in ancient times, you'd be saying the same thing. Look at those people using palm memorabilia... this is what i expected, religions exist to make money after all. If Jesus was coming to visit, will there be people peddling merchandise for this occasion? not sure how many palms do you see lying around????
I'm glad people show respect for a man of God spreading the good news around the world.
dont call it a faith, because faith implies belief in God, not a human antichristian figure.
during the Dark Ages, catholocism was a religion,
by its creation of Islam, it was still a religion, even though the roads ran red with rivers of christians' blood.
As a friend once quoted a sticker, "When religion ruled the world, it was called the Dark Ages."
I think most of you are in the dark about this dark agent we call the pope, and LOOK, theyre even profiteering from this with souvenirs and catholic memorabilia! this is what i expected, religions exist to make money afterall.
interestign question,
if Jesus was coming to visit, will there be people peddling merchandise for this occasion?
These are great articles about the Pope and the Catholic faith and hope that these type of articles continue when the Pope leave the US because they do a lot to explain the Catholic faith and various positions.