[Paging Heather Blue: still waiting for the Church's new stand against the Jews.]

Pope Urges Reconciliation in First U.S. Mass

By SUZANNE SATALINE

April 18, 2008; Page A3

WASHINGTON -- Appearing before 46,000 people at his first U.S. Mass, Pope Benedict XVI urged Americans to address the anger, alienation and divisiveness in society by deepening their faith in God.

Speaking from an altar in the outfield at Nationals Park, the pontiff called the U.S. a land of opportunity but gently reminded his audience that not everyone here has experienced the country's promise or its good fortune.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives to celebrates Mass at Washington Nationals baseball Park in Washington.

"One thinks of the injustices endured by the Native American peoples and by those brought here forcibly from Africa as slaves," he said. "Yet hope, hope for the future, is very much a part of the American character."

The pope also again addressed a controversy that has roiled the country's largest denomination for six years, asking U.S. Catholics to muster a spirit of forgiveness to repair the damage from widespread allegations that priests have molested thousands of children, with most cases never reported to police.

"Today I encourage each of you to do what you can to foster healing and reconciliation, and to assist those who have been hurt," he said.

Sister Kathleen Marie, right, showed Sister Ann Marguerite how to use their communal cell phone in early morning before the papal Mass in Washington Thursday.

Church critics had doubted that the pontiff would directly address the clergy scandal during his first visit to the U.S. as head of the Roman Catholic Church. But since arriving Tuesday for a six-day visit, which included a visit Wednesday to the White House and a meeting with President Bush, he has chosen to raise the sensitive issue on three occasions.

After the Mass, the pontiff met with "a small group" of victims who had been sexually abused by clergy, according to a statement from the Holy See press office. The pope prayed with the group, who were accompanied by Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, the report said.

Alicia Cassell of Anandale, Va., part of the crowd here, said the Pope needed to address the issue. "It's the elephant in the room [No, that would be the kikes]," she said. "It's what's on so many minds."

"I don't think one statement is going to make it go away," says the Rev. Michael Flynn, a graduate student at Catholic University. "This has affected us all...It's hurt us personally, not just as an institution."

The papal Mass at Nationals Park, a newly opened baseball stadium, brought together Catholics from as far as Nigeria, Latin America and the Philippines, as well as parishes from across the U.S. Pope Benedict arrived at the baseball stadium in his white Mercedes, dubbed the Popemobile. He rode the perimeter of the outfield to the broadcast sounds of a liturgical chant as congregants cheered and waived papal flags.

In Washington, D.C., Pope Benedict XVI held Mass at the Nationals baseball stadium where tickets were difficult to come by. Fox's Doug Luzader reports.
The sanctuary design took advantage of the ballpark setting, with an altar, pulpit and lectern set in the outfield under scaffolding wrapped in white and gold cloth. The perimeter of the baseball diamond was gated, though bisected by a white rug that ran up to the altar.

Though the service took place in a ballpark, congregants and their hosts tried to abide by the solemn customs of Catholics and the Mass. Concessions sold coffee and donuts instead of hot dogs and beer. The stands closed for business an hour before Mass, at the request of the Archdiocese of Washington, because Catholics are instructed not to eat before taking Communion.

The archdiocese set up white tents on a concourse at a closed Kosher Dog stand near the food court. There, more than 60 priests heard confessions before the Mass. They sat on folding chairs in white robes, one with a baseball cap on, face to face with a penitent person.

Barbara Hicks, a mother from Bristol, Va., stood in line with her daughter to seek forgiveness for her sins. "It's a special confession for the pope," she said. "And to give confession before receiving communion from the pope is awesome."

Attendees, for the most part, remained restrained in demeanor, abiding by the customs of most Catholic churches. But applause broke out when tenor Placido Domingo began singing "Panis Angelicus," accompanied by singers in one of four choirs. He knelt before the pontiff before leaving the altar.

Banners honoring the pope's visit hung from scaffolding on either side of a large golden crucifix. But the park didn't hide some billboard advertising.

The pope will move on to New York City Friday, where he is scheduled to speak at the United Nations. He also will visit Ground Zero and a synagogue, and celebrate another Mass on Sunday at Yankee Stadium.

Write to Suzanne Sataline at suzanne.sataline@wsj.com

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