US Catholics flock to stadium for papal Mass

Apr 17, 2008, 15:02 GMT

Pope Benedict XVI greets supporters prior to celebrating mass at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., USA, 17 April 2008. The outfield has been covered with 150,000 square feet of plastic flooring and thousands of chairs to expand the park\'s capacity to 48,000. EPA/SHAWN THEW

Washington - The more than 46,000 Catholics from across the United States who streamed into Washington's new baseball stadium clutched rare gold-coloured tickets as they entered, considering themselves 'blessed' to snag them to worship with Pope Benedict XVI, who is on a six-day visit to the United States.

A roar went up as Benedict entered the stadium and took his place on the elaborate altar that has transformed the newest home of one of America's other 'religions,' baseball.

Dressed in red, white and gold raiments, Benedict said he was 'happy' to be in Washington.

'May our time together help us to be renewed in the hope and love of our Lord Jesus Christ,' Benedict said.

Holy communion was to be celebrated during the service.

Earlier, lines of people wrapped outside the stadium with its view of the Capitol building, waiting to pass through tight security ahead of the service, as police officers rummaged through bags and waved metal detector wands over priests in their vestments.

Wearing gold and black jackets embroidered with their diocese name and 'Christ Our Hope,' several women from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, said they had travelled in buses overnight for the Mass.

'It's a once in a lifetime experience to see the Holy Father. We're just thrilled,' said Sheryl Skowronski, 53, the director of religious education at a Pittsburgh-area church.

Eric Shafer, 26, a seminarian who flew in from Ohio to attend, said he considered it 'an honour to be in the presence of the Holy Father,' adding the experience would influence his ministry.

Cynthia S Brown, 52, a school principal from nearby Arlington, Virginia, called Benedict a 'unifying presence' for US Catholics.

'It's a big sign of the faith and spiritual healing that's out there,' she said of Benedict's visit while listening to the pre-Mass music. 'It's a visual reminder that faith is important and permeates everyone's life.'

Most of those in attendance won their chance to see the pope through lotteries at their local parishes.

Before the service got under way, long lines of nuns, priests and lay people queued up to 30 minutes for coffee, hotdogs and muffins at the stadium's concession stands, contrasting with the strains of sacred music echoing through the arena.

Others sought out souvenirs, with several styles of T-shirts commemorating the event going for 20 dollars at stands that usually hawk team merchandise.

But despite the hassles created by such a large crowd, those in attendance said they considered themselves blessed to be there.

'We experience the presence of the Lord and the presence of the pope with us reflects the presence of Jesus Christ,' said Sister Archana, who drove along with nine other members of the Sisters of Charity Saint Vincent de Paul from High Point, North Carolina, starting at midnight.

The nuns were part of a lively mix that included priests in vestments, Catholic school children in uniforms and faithful in their Sunday best or jeans.

On Wednesday, Benedict met with President George W Bush, urging the US to seek peaceful solutions to international conflict, and addressed bishops on healing the child sex abuse scandal that has scarred the church since the extent of the molestation by priests and coverup by bishops was uncovered six years ago.