Apr 20, 2008 11:13 pm US/Eastern
Pope Benedict XVI Holds Last U.S. Mass In New York
Reporting
Adam May
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful during Mass at Yankee Stadium on April 20, 2008, in New York City.
Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
Sunday's Mass at Yankee Stadium was a ceremony that brought Pope Benedict's six-day visit to the United States to an end.
Adam May reports busloads of Marylanders left for New York Sunday morning for the Mass.
It was a somber start to the Pope's last day in the U.S.
From the city's most hallowed ground, Pope Benedict XVI led prayers at the site of the city's 9-11 attacks.
"God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world, peace to the hearts of men and women and peace among the nations of the earth," said Pope Benedict.
The pope also prayed for "those who suffered death, injury and loss" in the attacks at the Pentagon and in the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pa.
Benedict invited 24 people with ties to Ground Zero to join him-- survivors, relatives of victims and four rescue workers.
The somber mood Sunday morning was a sharp contrast to the thrill Catholics got from Sunday afternoon's papal Mass at Yankee Stadium.
Outside the stadium, two yellow dump trucks filled with sand blocked 161st Street before the Mass, an extra level of security along with the heavy police presence.
The Pope focused some of his remarks on the future of the American Catholic church and a shortage of new priests. He spoke directly to young Catholics.
"Young men and women of America, I urge you to open your heart to the Lord's call to follow him in the priesthood and religious life. Can there be any greater mark of love than this," said Pope Benedict.
The Pope went to a seminary Saturday where upon his arrival blessed about 50 disabled youth while he was visiting them. Tens of thousands made the trip to see him.
Dozens of Baltimore area Catholics hopped on a bus heading for New York so they too could be part of the holy services in New York.
"I'm hoping to see the pope and get additional spiritual renewal, but I'm very happy to be sharing this with my niece," said Mary Ann McCloskey.
For many, the bus ride was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see their spiritual leader.
Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the challenges of growing up under Nazi rule and his forced recruitment into the Hitler youth.
He also mentioned the future of the American church.
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