April 15, 2008

A Visitor from the Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI begins a six-day journey to the U.S

By Nellie Gonzalez Cutler

Today, Pope Benedict XVI begins a whirlwind six-day visit to Washington, D.C, and New York City. He is due to arrive at Andrews Air Force Base, where President George W. Bush will welcome him. It will be the first time that a U.S. President has greeted a foreign leader at the base, which is just outside Washington. The pope is the spiritual head of the world's 1 billion Catholics. There are 67,515,000 Catholics in the U.S, which is 22% of the population.

CHIP SOMODEVILLA—GETTY IMAGES Catholics are eagerly awaiting Pope Benedict's visit. Elizabeth Cove, 8, poses next to a cutout of the pope in the gift shop at the National Shrine in Washington, D.C.

Benedict has a busy schedule lined up. He will visit the White House on Wednesday. A crowd of up to 12,000 is expected for what is only the second time that a pope has visited the President's home. The first was Pope John Paul II, who visited President Jimmy Carter in 1979. Later in the day, the pope will speak to U.S. bishops at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The shrine is the largest Roman Catholic church in North America.

On Thursday morning, Benedict will celebrate mass at the Nationals Park. The new baseball stadium opened on March 31. It will be the first of two stadium Masses for the pontiff. He will also celebrate a Mass in New York City's Yankee Stadium on Sunday, the last day of his visit.

While in New York City, the pope will also address the United Nations, celebrate Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral and say a prayer at Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center once stood. The buildings were destroyed in a terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Before he left the Vatican, Benedict said he hoped to "bring the message of Christian hope to the United Nations (and) to the representatives of all the peoples of the world."

A Life of Prayer and Service

Josef Alois Ratzinger was born, in Marktl am Inn, Germany, on April 16, 81 years ago. In addition to his native German, he speaks fluent Italian, French, English, Spanish and Latin. Ratzinger, a theology professor, was named a cardinal in 1977. He quickly became an influential member of the inner circle of Pope John Paul II.

Following the death of John Paul II, Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as the 265th pope on April 19, 2005, taking the name Benedict XVI. He is the first German pope in 948 years. "He's a deeply cultured and intelligent person," says the Rev. Joseph Fessio, a former student of Benedict's. "There's an integrity that's really clear to anyone with an open heart and open mind."

Following Large Footsteps

Pope John Paul II was an influential leader. Throughout his 26 years as pope, he called on the world's leaders to solve problems peacefully. As pope, he traveled to 129 countries. Many people say that he helped bring an end to strict communist governments in Europe.

Pope Benedict XVI was elected pope at the age of 78. He is the oldest man to become pope since 1730. That may be one reason why this is only his eighth trip outside Italy. Benedict has said his mission during the trip is "is to reach out spiritually to all Catholics in the United States."

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