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Pope Says Mass at Stadium

Posted Apr 17, 08 8:56 AM CDT in Arts & Living,  US 

(Newser) – Washington's Nationals Park was transformed into a church today as more than 46,000 gathered to hear Pope Benedict XVI say Mass. Beer stands were replaced with confessionals and choirs filled the outfield as the popemobile circled the bases, the Washington Post reports. Giving his homily in English and Spanish, Benedict again warned against society's growing secularism and addressed the sexual abuse scandal.

“No words of mine can describe the pain inflicted by such abuse,” Benedict said, vowing that the church was doing its utmost to protect children. A predominantly Catholic audience packed the stadium, lining up as early as 6am. “I've never seen a pope before,” said one eager altar boy. Many roamed outside looking for tickets, including one man whose sign read, “Need one miracle.”

Source Washington Post

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The Popemobile, with Pope Benedict XVI aboard, makes his entrance for a Mass, Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Washington Nationals baseball Park in Washington.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Little Sisters of the Poor use their communal cell phone as they wait for the Papal Mass with Pope Benedict XVI, Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Nationals baseball Park in Washington.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A procession of Catholic clergy walk on the field of Washington Nationals baseball Park in Washington, Thursday, April 17, 2008, to attend the Mass by Pope Benedict XVI.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
A procession of Catholic clergy walk on the field of Washington Nationals baseball Park in Washington, Thursday, April 17, 2008, to attend the Mass by Pope Benedict XVI.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Members of the Catholic clergy make their way to their seats for the Mass of Pope Benedict XVI, Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Nationals baseball Park in Washington.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Little Sisters of the Poor learn to use their communal cell phone as they await the Papal Mass with Pope Benedict XVI at Nationals Park in Washington, Thursday, April 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A priest from the Archdiocese of Washington, arranges the communion offerings as last minute preparations are made for the mass of Pope Benedict XVI at Nationals Park, Thursday, April 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Pope Benedict XVI, riding in the Popemobile, makes his entrance in Washington Nationals baseball Park in Washington, Thursday, April 17, 2008, for a Mass.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Pope Benedict XVI reacts to the crowd at the conclusion of a Papal Mass, Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Washington Nationals Park in Washington.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Pope Benedict XVI walks down the center aisle after celebrating Mass at Washington Nationals Park in Washington, Thursday, April 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Pope Benedict XVI walks through Washington Nationals Park in Washington, Thursday, April 17, 2008, after celebrating a Mass.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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Pope Benedict XVI • Catholic Church • Washington DC • Catholicism • Pope Benedict's US visit • mass • Nationals stadium


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