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Pope says trip to U.S. was opportunity to give, receive hope, faith
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.
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What Now?
Hopefully, the Holy Father’s visit has inspired us all.
First, we want to thank everyone for making uspapalvisit.org a success. Especially to all the people behind the scenes who worked long hours for many days, a heartfelt thank you. Also, we want to thank everyone for your complimentary e-mails.
The live stream and blog among other items were certainly firsts for the Office of Digital Media at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). There were some hiccups but all-in-all it went very well.
So, where do we go from here? We want to make sure everyone gets a chance to view the events of the papal visit. Therefore, uspapalvisit.org will remain up until the end of June. At that time, we will reassess the site to see if there is a need to keep the site going any longer.
On the site, you will find the texts and videos from most of the events. You will also find articles, images, audio and video on events, the church in the U.S. and the Holy Father himself.
We will continue to post reactions from the papal visit among other items as we get them. So, pass the word along to anyone looking for texts or video from the papal visit, they can find them on uspapalvisit.org.
In “Christ Our Hope”
Joe Larson
Director of Digital Media, USCCB
POPE BENEDICT XVI CELEBRATES MASS AT YANKEE STADIUM IN NEW YORK
Pope Benedict XVI waves before departing Mass at Yankee Stadium in New York April 20. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)
DEACON DISTRIBUTES COMMUNION AT YANKEE STADIUM MASS
A deacon distributes communion in the upper deck of Yankee Stadium in New York April 20. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated a Mass attended by approximately 60,000 people at Yankee Stadium on the final day of his pastoral visit to the U.S. April 20. (CNS photo/Rick Musacchio)
POPE WAVES AS HE DEPARTS YANKEE STADIUM
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd as he departs Yankee Stadium after celebrating Mass in New York April 20. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)
DANCERS PERFORM BEFORE PAPAL MASS AT YANKEE STADIUM
A dance troupe performs with kites in the shape of birds during the pre-Mass program at Yankee Stadium April 20. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated a Mass attended by approximately 60,000 people at Yankee Stadium on the final day of his pastoral visit to the U .S. (CNS photo/Rick Musacchio)
In U.S., Pope Preaches Message of Hope Built on Faith
NEW YORK (CNS) -- From the White House to the U.N. General Assembly hall and from ground zero to the Washington Nationals' baseball stadium, Pope Benedict XVI preached a message of hope built on faith and a joint commitment to defending the dignity of the human person.
He acknowledged the "evil" of the clerical sexual abuse crisis, met privately with a group of victims and encouraged the U.S. bishops to continue their work to restore trust in the church and its ministers.
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Pope Achieved Objectives Critical to Future of U.S. Church
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.
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Children Give Pope Final U.S. Send-off with Colorful Birthday Cards
ROME (CNS) -- After all the speeches were over and the VIPs had gone home, Pope Benedict XVI had a final U.S. send-off from 36 grade-schoolers in Virginia.
Homemade cards from the third- and fourth-graders of St. William of York Catholic School in Stafford, Va., were given to the pope aboard his Alitalia plane after he left New York April 20.
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Man Who Sang for the Pope at Synagogue Calls It 'Powerful' Experience
NEW YORK (CNS) -- On Fridays and Saturdays, Daryl Henricksen, a Protestant, sings a cappella, in Hebrew, at the historic Park East Synagogue in New York. On Saturday evenings and Sundays, he's a member of the mixed adult choir and the cantor for four Masses at Resurrection Catholic Church in Rye, N.Y.
On April 18, he sang for Pope Benedict XVI and Rabbi Arthur Schneier at a brief prayer service.
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Ronald McDonald House Residents Get Unscripted Moments with Pope
NEW YORK (CNS) -- In an unscheduled April 19 event, Pope Benedict XVI greeted about 40 disabled children and their family members from Ronald McDonald House in New York.
At about 8 p.m., chaplain Cherilyn Frei received a call from James Murtagh, the commanding officer of the New York Police Department's 19th Precinct saying that the pope wanted to greet neighborhood residents outside Archbishop Celestino Migliore's residence, where he was staying.
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Scripted Interreligious Encounter Sparks Spontaneous Remarks
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- After Pope Benedict XVI addressed about 200 interreligious leaders at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington April 17, the scripted encounter with the pope turned into something resembling a town-hall meeting.
As scheduled after his official address in the cultural center's atrium, Pope Benedict personally greeted 10 representatives of the five main religions present. But when he went into a separate room to give Passover greetings to Jewish representatives, three Muslims and a couple of other interreligious leaders told the remaining audience what they said to the pope during their brief encounter with him.
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Farewell Papa!
The Holy Father heads home to the Vatican. After a week full of lasting impressions, he leaves us with encouragement, inspiration, challenges and hope.
Farewell Papa!
The Holy Father shows his appreciation to the crowd at the Farewell Ceremony. (photo from USCCB streaming video)
more images of the farewell ceremony
MASS WITH THE HOLY FATHER
Pope Benedict XVI laughs at the crowds' reaction to Cardinal Egan. The Cardinal was announcing the names of the dioceses celebrating their 200th anniversary and he announced the New York diocese after announcing the Boston diocese. (photo from USCCB streaming video)
For more images of the Mass at Yankee Stadium
'Move Forward' in Faith, Pope Urges Catholics at Yankee Stadium Mass
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.
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MASS WITH THE HOLY FATHER
The crowd at Yankee Stadium during welcoming remarks from Cardinal Egan. (photo from USCCB streaming video)
For more images of the Mass at Yankee Stadium
Build on 'Impressive Legacy' of U.S. Church, Pope Urges at Final Mass
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Honoring the bicentennial of four U.S. archdioceses, Pope Benedict XVI praised the "solid foundations" of the American Catholic Church and said "the future of the church in America" must continue to build on that "impressive legacy."
But in his homily for the final Mass of his April 15-20 U.S. visit, the pope also said the "impressive growth" of the U.S. church has been "not without its challenges," comparing those challenges to the "linguistic and cultural tensions" found in the early church.
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MASS WITH THE HOLY FATHER
The altar at Yankee Stadium. (photo from USCCB streaming video)
For more images of the Mass at Yankee Stadium
At Ground Zero, Pope Offers Silent Prayer, Comforts Survivors
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.
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GROUND ZERO
Pope Benedict XVI kneels at Ground Zero for a brief prayer service. The Pope met with a small group of survivors and victims of September 11, 2001. (photo from USCCB streaming video)
Enthusiastic Crowd Greets Pope Benedict on New York's Fifth Avenue
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.
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POPEMOBILE MAKES WAY DOWN NEW YORK'S FIFTH AVENUE
The popemobile with Pope Benedict XVI aboard travels up Fifth Avenue after the pope celebrated Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedrial in New York, April 19. (CNS photo/NYPD, Reuters)
Seminary Students Say They Desire to Emulate Pope's Example
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- When Deacon Michael Spurr is ordained to the priesthood June 7, he hopes he can take the example of holiness of Pope Benedict XVI wherever his path of ministry takes him.
A student at Theological College of The Catholic University of America, Deacon Spurr was one of a group of seminary students who welcomed the pope to the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center on campus April 17. They greeted him as he was on his way to speak to Catholic educators.
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NUNS LEAVE MASS AT SAINT PATRICK CATHEDRAL
Nuns talk as they leave Saint Patrick Cathedral after Mass. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass for clergy and religious at St. Patrick Cathedral during his pastoral visit to New York on April 19.(CNS photo/Rick Musacchio)
Pope's Visit Shows 'How Far We've Come,' Jewish New Yorker Says
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI's visit to a U.S. synagogue "is symbolic of how far we've come," according to a Jewish New Yorker and German-American.
Ted Bodhiederman, 62, was among those waiting for Pope Benedict before his April 18 visit to St. Joseph's Church in the Yorkville neighborhood of Manhattan, the last bastion of Teutonic heritage in New York.
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CROWDS WAVE PAPAL COLORS OUTSIDE CHURCH
Crowds wave white and gold kerchiefs outside St. Joseph's Church in New York April 18 prior to Pope Benedict XVI's arrival at the church. The pope presided at a prayer service at St. Joseph's. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
Young Adults Holding Vigil Rewarded with Papal Handshake
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Several hundred young adults holding a vigil behind the security perimeter around the house where Pope Benedict XVI was staying were rewarded April 18 with a papal handshake.
Helen Osman, director of communications for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said more than 1,000 people had gathered throughout the evening near the residence of the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations.
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POPE WAVES AS HE LEAVES NEW YORK CHURCH
Pope Benedict XVI Waves to the Crowd Upon Leaving St. Joseph's Church in New York April 18 Following an Ecumenical Prayer Service.(CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
Pope Says Divisions, Abandoning Tradition Weaken Christian Witness
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."
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POPE AND RABBI SCHNEIER IN NEW YORK
Pope Benedict XVI stands with Rabbi Arthur Schneier before he speaks at the Park East Synagogue in New York April 18. (CNS photo/Gary Hershorn, Reuters)
At New York Synagogue, Pope Encourages 'Bridges of Friendship'
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.
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POPE BENEDICT SPEAKS AT UNITED NATIONS
People listen as Pope Benedict XVI addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York April 18. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)
Pope, at U.N., Says No Government or Religion can Limit Human Rights
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.
But he also said the role of religions is not to dictate government policy, but to help their members strive to find the truth, including the truth about the dignity of all people even if their religious views are different.
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POPE ARRIVES IN NEW YORK
Pope Benedict XVI descends the stairs from his airplane at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York April 18. (CNS photo/Ed Wilkinson, The Tablet)
Pope Meets Interreligious Leaders, Says Dialogue Discovers Truth
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.
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POPE MEETS INTERRELIGIOUS LEADERS
Pope Benedict XVI arrives April 17 for a meeting with interreligious leaders at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center during his pastoral visit to Washington. (CNS photo/Rick Musacchio)
Pope urges U.S. Catholic educators to lead students to deeper faith
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI urged U.S. Catholic educators April 17 not to simply transmit knowledge to their students but to bring them 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.
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Catholic University students thrilled to welcome pope 'on our turf'
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The pope doesn't visit a U.S. college campus very often. So when four seniors at The Catholic University of America heard that Pope Benedict XVI was coming to their campus, the roommates knew they wanted to witness it. So they arrived on the lawn behind the Columbus School of Law shortly before 10 a.m. April 17 to wait for the papal arrival on campus some seven hours later.
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POPE GREETS NEW ORLEANS ARCHBISHOP
Pope Benedict XVI greets Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans as Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone applauds at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception April 16 in Washington. The pope surprised the archbi shop with a gift of a chalice for the archdiocese in honor of efforts there in rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)
Pope urges U.S. Catholics to renew their missionary energy
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.
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WASHINGTON AUXILIARY ARRIVES FOR PAPAL MASS IN WASHINGTON
Auxiliary Bishop Martin D. Holley of Washington, center, and other U.S. bishops, arrive for Pope Benedict XVI's Mass at Nationals Park in Washington April 17. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Pope presents special chalice to show solidarity with Katrina victims
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- At the end of his remarks to the U.S. bishops April 16, Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged "the immense suffering endured by the people of God" in the New Orleans Archdiocese because of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The pope also praised "their courage in the challenging work of rebuilding" in the aftermath of the storm.
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POPE MEETS WITH U.S. BISHOPS AT BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Pope Benedict XVI reaches out to Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk during the pontiff's meeting with U.S. bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington April 16. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)
Pope calls sex abuse scandal 'countersign' to Gospel of life
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.
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POPE BENEDICT ARRIVES AT SHRINE
Pope Benedict XVI stands in the upper church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of
the Immaculate Conception in Washington April 16 prior to a vespers service with the
U.S. bishops. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)
Multiple Choruses of 'Happy Birthday' Mark the Pope's 81st
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. Later, opera star Kathleen Battle led the song again, and the pope blew out candles on a four-tier cake.
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POPE BLOWS OUT CANDLE ON BIRTHDAY CAKE
Pope Benedict XVI blows out a candle on a birthday cake presented to him at the White House April 16 when he turned 81. His birthday took place on the second day of his U.S. visit and was marked with several celebrations. (CNS photo/Alessia Giuliani, Cat holic Press Photo)
Bush, Pope Exchange Gifts Accompanied By Lemon Cake
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.
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POPE WAVES TO CROWDS AT WHITE HOUSE GATHERING
Pope Benedict XVI waves during a welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White
House in Washington April 16. The pope, who is on a three-day visit to the nation's
capital, will say Mass at Nationals Park and meet with Catholic leaders at The
Catholic University of America before traveling to the New York on April 18. (CNS
photo/Joshua Roberts)
Pope, Bush Discuss Fighting Terrorism While Respecting Human Rights
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.
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KNIGHTS WALK ON WHITE HOUSE LAWN
Knights of Columbus walk on the South Lawn of the White House April 16 prior to a
welcoming ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI. (CNS photo/Joshua Roberts)
U.S. Ambassador Says Pope-Bush Meeting Was Proud Day for Americans
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- For the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, the meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush was a proud day for Americans.
"It was wonderful to have this great world religious leader express his appreciation for so many things we take for granted," Mary Ann Glendon told Catholic News Service April 16.
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PRESIDENT BUSH WELCOMES POPE BENEDICT XVI TO THE WHITE HOUSE
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 travel ing
to the New York where he will address the United Nations. (CNS photo/Joshua Roberts)
Waiting for the Pope: Planning to Chat With Him About Peace and Cats
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (CNS) -- Hundreds of military personnel and their families and dozens of students from a nearby Catholic high school perched on bleachers set up at the edge of the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base to greet Pope Benedict XVI on his first U.S. visit as pope.
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Catholic University Senior's Essay Lands Him Chance to Meet Pope
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Peter Osgood, a senior majoring in biology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, couldn't move when he heard his essay on "How Catholic Education Has Changed My Life" won him a chance to meet Pope Benedict XVI when he delivers an address on Catholic education at the university April 17.
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'Lidia' of Public Television Fame to Cook for Pope in New York
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Lidia Matticchio Bastianich has cooked for her fair share of VIPs, including first lady Laura Bush and the presidents of Japan and Chile. Nothing, however, comes close to cooking for Pope Benedict XVI.
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BASTIANICH FAMILY PREPARES SPECIAL PAPAL MEALS
Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and her son Joseph will whip up two special dinners for Pope Benedict XVI during his stay in New York April 18-19. Lidia, a well-known chef and restaurant owner, will be joined by other chefs from her three New York eateries, while son Joseph will select and pour for the pope the wines of the family's own label. The dinners will be a culinary highlight of the pope's U.S. visit. (CNS photo/courtesy of American Public Television)
Children Welcome Pope on Lawn of Apostolic Nunciature in Washington
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As the black limousine in which Pope Benedict XVI was riding pulled up in front of the apostolic nunciature in Washington April 15, a crowd of schoolchildren stood on the lawn waiting to greet the pope.
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The Holy Father Lands
in the United States
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (CNS) -- Welcomed by U.S. President George W. Bush, first lady Laura Bush and an array of church officials, Pope Benedict XVI began his first pastoral visit to the United States as pope April 15. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)
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Cardinal: Pope's Reflections Should Help Americans During Elections
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI will not bring political directives during his U.S. trip, but his reflections should help Americans make a "deeper moral judgment" during this year's election campaign, a leading U.S. cardinal said.
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