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'Spontaneous' Masses Back Benedict

Vatican claims 150K show up in solidarity with pope

By the Associated Press

Posted May 16, 2010 7:26 AM CDT

(AP) – Tens of thousands of balloon- and banner-toting faithful overflowed St. Peter's Square today in a massive show of solidarity with Pope Benedict XVI over the clerical sex abuse scandal. Benedict said he was comforted by such a "beautiful and spontaneous show of faith and solidarity"—organized by 68 Italian lay groups—and again denounced what he called the "sin" that has infected the church.

Banners hung on Bernini's colonnade encircling the piazza read "Together with the pope," and "Don't be afraid, Jesus won out over evil." Such large crowds are usually reserved for major holiday Masses and canonizations, and the crowd interrupted Benedict frequently with applause and shouts of "Benedetto!" and Benedict himself strayed from his prepared remarks to thank them again and again.

Pope Benedict XVI blesses faithful from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, Sunday, May 16, 2010. An estimated 150,000 people filled St. Peter's Square in a major show of support.
Pope Benedict XVI blesses faithful from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, Sunday, May 16, 2010. An estimated 150,000 people filled St. Peter's Square in a major show of support.   ((AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano))
Pope Benedict XVI blesses faithful from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, Sunday, May 16, 2010. An estimated 150,000 people filled St. Peter's Square in a major show of support.
Pope Benedict XVI blesses faithful from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, Sunday, May 16, 2010. An estimated 150,000 people filled St. Peter's Square in a major show of support.   ((AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano))
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Thank you for your presence and trust. All of Italy is here. - Pope Benedict to crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square

The true enemy to fear and to fight against is sin, the spiritual evil that unfortunately sometimes infects even members of the church. - Pope Benedict to crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square today

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 18 comments
Snarfeh
May 17, 2010 11:17 PM CDT
"Tens of thousands of balloon- and banner-toting faithful overflowed St. Peter's Square today in a massive show of solidarity with Pope Benedict XVI over the clerical sex abuse scandal."

And all of 'em pedophiles like Bennie and the Peds....
bewilderbeast
May 17, 2010 9:35 AM CDT
It's the PERFECT scam: Abuse them, threaten them, lie to them, make them do all sorts of funny little rituals, and take over their lives. And hey! They praise you and send you money!! Fantastic. Now all I need is to get rid of the fake Jesus character as middle-man, and get them worshipping ME! Eggs Benedict! Myself! DIRECTLY! --------------------- (Then we can "discover" a new book - The Holy Book of Benedict, maybe? - that says buggering little boys is a holy right - and rite. Yes!!)
krymsonkyng
May 16, 2010 9:06 PM CDT
The highest vampire looks upon his masses, the support and love are not lost on the heartless. But then neither is their flesh.

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Pope Benedict XVI • priest sex abuse • St. Peter's Square • Catholic Church sex scandals • pedophile priests

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