| Papal Visit
Headlines:  Papal
Visit Results in Big Jump in Positive View of
Benedict and Church
One third now more likely to
vote and be more active in community and Church.
Apr 30, 2008 ( kofc.org) A
poll taken immediately following the conclusion
of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States
shows that it had a powerful impact on public
attitudes toward the pope, the Church, and a
willingness to live their faith more fully.
The nationwide poll of 1,013 adults was commissioned
by the Knights of Columbus and conducted by the
Marist College Institute for Public Opinion between
April 22 and April 24, 2008. Marist conducted a
similar poll prior to the pope’s visit, allowing
before-and-after comparisons.
Among the highlights of the poll results:
- 65 percent of Americans have
a more positive view of Pope Benedict as a
result of what they saw and heard during his
visit
- 52 percent have a more
positive view of the Catholic Church
- The proportion of Americans
with a favorable view of Pope Benedict jumped
from 58 percent prior to his visit to 71 percent
afterward
- The proportion describing the
pope positively as a spiritual leader went from
53 percent to 62 percent
- The proportion describing him
as a good or excellent world leader went from 41
percent to 51 percent
- 56 percent see his ability to
promote good relations between the Catholic
Church and other religions as good or excellent,
up from 40 percent prior to his visit
- More than a third (35
percent) say they are now more in touch with
their own spiritual values as the result of the
pope’s visit.
Even more importantly, nearly half
(49 percent) now have a better understanding of the
Catholic Church’s positions on important issues, and
a significant proportion of Americans are prepared
to change their personal involvement as a result:
- About four in ten say they
are more likely to lead a moral life and make
family a bigger part of their lives
- One in three are more likely
to participate in elections, community
activities and their churches as a result of the
papal visit.
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said that the poll
results “show clearly that Pope Benedict has
presented the Catholics of the United States
with a tremendous opportunity. Americans are a
religious people, and they responded very
positively to the message of faith, hope and
love that the Holy Father delivered throughout
his visit. It is now up to all of us in the
Catholic community to walk through the door he
has opened for us, and work together to build a
civilization of love.”
Pope Benedict XVI pays
solemn visit to Ground Zero
New
York, Apr 20, 2008 / 09:03 am (CNA).-
When Pope Benedict XVI was asked what he wanted to
do when he came to the United States, he told his
staff he wanted to make sure he visited Ground Zero.
This morning the Holy Father just did this that.
Sixteen family members, 4 first
responders and 4 survivors were present as the Pope
descended the ramp down into the pit where the Twin
Towers once stood, knelt and silently prayed.
After lighting a candle, the Holy
Father offered a prayer for the victims, their
families and those who survived all three attacks on
9/11.
He prayed:
“We ask you in your goodness
to give eternal light and peace
to all who died here-
the heroic first-responders:
our fire fighters, police officers,
emergency service workers, and Port Authority
personnel,
along with all the innocent men and women
who were victims of this tragedy
simply because their work or service
brought them here on September 11, 2001.”
“We ask you, in your compassion
to bring healing to those
who, because of their presence here that day,
suffer from injuries and illness.
Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families
and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
Give them strength to continue their lives with
courage and hope.”
The Pope also prayed for peace
in “our violent world; peace in the hearts of all
men and women and peace among the nations of the
earth.”
He then prayed for conversion
of all “those whose hearts and minds are consumed
with hatred.”
After concluding his prayer, Pope
Benedict blessed Ground Zero and the people present
with holy water.
The 24 people invited to the
ceremony then met individually with the Pope.
Joint Statement of Holy
See and White House
On Wednesday 16 April 2008, following a private
meeting of Pope Benedict XVI and President George W.
Bush, the following Joint Statement was issued:
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and President George
W. Bush met today in the Oval Office of the White
House.
President Bush, on behalf of all Americans, welcomed
the Holy Father, wished him a happy birthday, and
thanked him for the spiritual and moral guidance,
which he offers to the whole human family. The
President wished the Pope every success in his
Apostolic Journey and in his address at the United
Nations, and expressed appreciation for the Pope’s
upcoming visit to “Ground Zero” in New York.
During their meeting, the Holy Father and the
President discussed a number of topics of common
interest to the Holy See and the United States of
America, including moral and religious
considerations to which both parties are committed:
the respect of the dignity of the human person; the
defense and promotion of life, matrimony and the
family; the education of future generations; human
rights and religious freedom; sustainable
development and the struggle against poverty and
pandemics, especially in Africa. In regard to the
latter, the Holy Father welcomed the United States’
substantial financial contributions in this area.
The two reaffirmed their total rejection of
terrorism as well as the manipulation of religion to
justify immoral and violent acts against innocents.
They further touched on the need to confront
terrorism with appropriate means that respect the
human person and his or her rights.
The Holy Father and the President devoted
considerable time in their discussions to the Middle
East, in particular resolving the Israel-Palestinian
conflict in line with the vision of two states
living side-by-side in peace and security, their
mutual support for the sovereignty and independence
of Lebanon, and their common concern for the
situation in Iraq and particularly the precarious
state of Christian communities there and elsewhere
in the region. The Holy Father and the President
expressed hope for an end to violence and for a
prompt and comprehensive solution to the crises
which afflict the region.
The Holy Father and the President also considered
the situation in Latin America with reference, among
other matters, to immigrants, and the need for a
coordinated policy regarding immigration, especially
their humane treatment and the well being of their
families.
Other Papal Visit
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