Associated Press – November 12, 2007
BALTIMORE – Pope Benedict XVI will make his first visit to the United States as pontiff next year, and plans to visit the White House, ground zero and speak at the United Nations, Archbishop Pietro Sambi told the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Monday.
Benedict will travel to Washington and New York from April 15-20, speak at the United Nations on April 18 and visit ground zero on the final day of his trip.
The pope will visit the site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York to show “solidarity with those who have died, with their families and with all those who wish an end of violence and in the search of peace,” said Sambi, the Vatican’s ambassador to the U.S.
The visit will take place on the third anniversary of Benedict’s election to succeed Pope John Paul II, who died in April 2005.
An official welcome reception for Benedict will be held at the White House on April 16, Sambi said. The pontiff will celebrate two public Masses, first at the new Nationals Park in Washington on April 17, and again at Yankee Stadium on April 20.
He will also hold meetings with priests, Catholic university presidents, diocesan educators and young people.
“The pope will not travel much, but he will address himself to the people of the United States and the whole Catholic Church,” Sambi said.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Beliefnet
Advertisement
posted November 12, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Cool deal – my travel plans get me out of there before the Popeplane touches down and the Popemobile mucks up traffic. Bush & Benny deserve each other – I hope they have a lovely time – and leave everyone else alone.
posted November 12, 2007 at 4:59 pm
So, will my taxes be paying for the police protection, stands, etc. etc.? Inquiring minds want to know.
Will he speak at the UN as a religious leader or as an unelected head of a nation?
You plan well ahead, j.
posted November 12, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Won’t this nation be better off when Benny “blesses” us with his presence? NO.
He has a lot of meetings set up…Catholic educators, young people, priests. Trying to convince them he is important and still infallible?
Will he be passing out applications for the priesthood at the rallies? (Oh, guess that should be Masses) There is a shortage…gee! I wonder why….can you say “celibacy” .
Agreed, jestrfyl. Benny and Bush deserve each other.
posted November 12, 2007 at 8:41 pm
We’ll stay out of NY in April for sure! N.Y.C. streets will be a conjested sight. His planning is perfect, right in the middle of campaigning for our new President. A time to reinstate the Roman Catholics beliefs on all personal do’s and don’ts pertaining to Catholics marital doings, and not so marital doings. And of course Homeosexuality. Can’t take a chance on Americas Roman Catholics forgetting how to vote, can he? Anyway he’ll be charming, and we can be hospitable even if we don’t agree.
posted November 13, 2007 at 2:57 pm
H22:
Personally, I’ve never thought of Benny as “charming”. However I guess there will be the proper amount of hospitality given to him. He is a guest of this country.
posted November 13, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Pagansister, this is one topic in which we find agreement… Catholicism could learn something from its Eastern Orthodox sibling… celibacy probably serves as a major deterrent (sp?) to men who might otherwise make good priests.
posted November 14, 2007 at 12:47 am
These posters are so negative. I’m hopeful the Pope’s visit will mean a great deal to the American Church.
posted November 14, 2007 at 9:38 am
“These posters are so negative. I’m hopeful the Pope’s visit will mean a great deal to the American Church.”
Is this negativity or are they being real?
I would like to look up to the Pope and have great respect for him. Though I will always have respect for him as person (as I do everyone) his words and actions have taught me that as a leader, he does not deserve my respect.
Perpetuating prejudice, bigotry, discrimination are not traits I look for in a leader.
posted November 14, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Michael, I’m glad that we agree about the celibacy issue and the RCC. The Eastern Orthodox folks realized that a priest could function as a priest and have a family too. (as have many, many other religions). I’ve heard the reasoning given by the RCC and it just doesn’t make sense to me.