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Apr 17, 2008 11:10 pm US/Eastern
People Come By The Thousands To See Pope Benedict
WASHINGTON (WJZ) ―
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Pope Benedict XVI greets schoolchildren as he departs, after celebrating Mass at Nationals Park April 17, 2008, in Washington, D.C.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Hope, grace and forgiveness were the messages to tens of thousands who jammed Washington's Nationals Park to hear Pope Benedict XVI celebrate Mass.
Kai Jackson reports the two-hour Mass moved many who attended and even more who watched it on TV.
Thousands of people rose early to a beautiful, sunny morning in order to attend the papal Mass.
This is one of two huge open-air Masses the pontiff will hold during his visit to the United States.
Church leaders estimate 46,000 people packed the stadium, and the number who asked for tickets was nearly double that.
"I am happy to be with you all in Washington, the District of Columbia, the capital of the United States of America and to celebrate with you Jesus Christ," said Pope Benedict XVI.
The worshippers began arriving before sunrise. They were thrilled to be there and called the Mass a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"We woke up probably about 3:30, 4, had to get in line at about 4:40 a.m. to get a ticket. So we have been here since about 5, 5:30," said Mary Virgil.
"This is my wife Pat and (my) 60th anniversary being married and God bless Pope Benedict," said Tony Greco.
The Pope is reaching out to a diminishing Catholic Church.
At the Mass, some of the attendees took their seat while others filled into the confessional set up inside the stadium.
For the 2,500 from the Baltimore area, the ticket was like a ticket from heaven.
"This is just the culmination of being a Catholic. It is the Pope. He's in my area, he's in my neighborhood. It's Jesus on earth," said Debbie Glinowiecki.
Thousands of Baltimore's Catholics came to renew their faith but also to gain a connection with a Pope many said they didn't know enough about.
Pope Benedict reached toward the crowd with his words and his gestures and for the younger generations from our region, the connection was made.
"It was just so much easier to really connect with him and see him as our leader," said Susan Fonzi.
The Pope touched on many subjects and touched many hearts.
Members of the area's growing Hispanic community say the fact that the pope ended his homily in Spanish renewed their faith that they are an essential part of his flock in America.
"You feel that there's a special feeling when you are close to him," said Margarita Marin.
It was a spiritual moving day for those who visited the stadium Thursday.
After a busy three days in Washington, Pope Benedict leaves Friday morning to continue his U.S. visit in New York City.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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