Apr 15, 2008 11:26 pm US/Eastern
Baltimore Looks Forward To Pope's Visit
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
Pope Benedict XVI says his visit to the United States signifies a time of spiritual renewal for Americans.
Extensive preparations are underway for the pontiff's visit.
Kathryn Brown reports the papal visit comes as the Baltimore archdiocese celebrates its 200th anniversary.
Bells toll across the state, signifying the much-anticipated arrival of Pope Benedict XVI.
At Mount Saint Mary's University, seminary student David Wells nervously prepares for his role as papal book-bearer in Thursday's Mass at National Stadium. He'll hold the sacramentary prayer book for the Pope.
"I was instantly excited. I told my parents, told everybody, so my whole family's excited for me. It's a great honor," he said.
Wells is studying theology and plans to be a parish priest for the Washington archdiocese upon graduation. He was chosen from about 50 theology students.
"It'll be such an awesome privilege to be there a few feet from him, to look into his eyes and see a man who's so holy," Wells said.
One man who's already been there is Monsignor Stuart Swetland. He worked as a just-ordained deacon for then-Cardinal Ratzinger back in 1990 in Rome and remembers him as a man of prayer and grace.
"A man of profound prayer. He would carry a Greek New Testament in his pocket and he would pull it out and pray it," he said.
The president of Mount Saint Mary's, Tom Powell, is one of 10 Catholic University presidents that will have a private reception with the Pope during his visit. He expects a pastoral visit rather than a political one.
"I think he's gonna come and really give us a pep talk in many good ways about how we're all in this together," Powell said.
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