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NY, DC Prep for Papal Visit

US teams ready churches, Yankee Stadium for holy trip

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 12, 2008 11:35 AM CDT

(Newser) – He may be the only man who can draw Mets fans to Yankee Stadium: Next week, Pope Benedict XVI will lead a stadium Mass on his 6-day tour of Washington, DC and New York. Before gracing second base, the Pontiff will celebrate his 81st birthday at the White House, and visit churches—and a synagogue—in both cities.

Teams of church officials, Hollywood producers, and political veterans have spent months planning the papal trip, which will cost donors $3 million for the Washington visit alone, the New York Times reports. Harry Connick Jr. and Kelly Clarkson will headline a concert before Benedict’s Yankee Stadium Mass, but scalpers beware: Selling tickets for the high-security event is not only illegal, it's a sin.

Security personnel walk through the chapel at St. Joseph's Seminary, where Pope Benedict XVI will give blessings to 50 disabled children next weekend.
Security personnel walk through the chapel at St. Joseph's Seminary, where Pope Benedict XVI will give blessings to 50 disabled children next weekend.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Workmen remove a crucifix that will be taken to the Nationals Park baseball stadium, where it will be used at the Pope's Mass.
Workmen remove a crucifix that will be taken to the Nationals Park baseball stadium, where it will be used at the Pope's Mass.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to visit Washington D.C. and New York in his upcoming April 15-20 US trip.
Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to visit Washington D.C. and New York in his upcoming April 15-20 US trip.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
A US flag is seen as Pope Benedict XVI is driven through the crowd during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 9, 2008.
A US flag is seen as Pope Benedict XVI is driven through the crowd during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Park East Synagogue in New York, the synagogue  Pope Benedict XVI plans to visit on April 18, is seen Thursday April 3, 2008. During his first papal trip to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI will visit a synagogue led by a rabbi who survived the Holocaust, the nation's bishops...
Park East Synagogue in New York, the synagogue Pope Benedict XVI plans to visit on April 18, is seen Thursday April 3, 2008. During his first papal trip to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI will visit...   (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg)
A giant U.S. flag is unfurled in center field during ceremonies for the first game of the final season at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 1, 2008. The New York Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2.
A giant U.S. flag is unfurled in center field during ceremonies for the first game of the final season at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 1, 2008. The New York Yankees defeated the Toronto...   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)
Workers carry a canopy to its resting spot Friday, April 11, 2008 at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y.
Workers carry a canopy to its resting spot Friday, April 11, 2008 at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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