Apr 17, 2008 10:02 am US/Eastern
Pope Benedict XVI Turns Attention To The Public
WASHINGTON (CBS) ―
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Pope Benedict XVI arrives for vespers and to address to U.S. bishops in the Crypt Church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception April 16, 2008, in Washington, DC.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
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A young girl, perhaps showing some impatience, holds a sign she made for Pope Benedict XVI during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn at the White House on April 16, 2008, in Washington, D.C.
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Workers assemble the roof structure on April 14, 2008, that will cover the stage where Pope Benedict XVI will deliver Mass at Nationals Park during his papal visit in Washington, D.C.
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Pope Benedict XVI is welcomed to the White House by U.S. President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush during an arrival ceremony at the White House April 16, 2008 in Washington, D.C.
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Pope Benedict XVI and U.S. President George W. Bush listen to the national anthem of the Vatican during an arrival ceremony at the White House April 16, 2008, in Washington, D.C.
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Pope Benedict XVI, left, waves to the crowd as U.S. President George W. Bush applauds after "Happy Birthday" was sung to the Pope during an arrival ceremony on the south lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C, on April 16, 2008.
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Pope Benedict XVI blows out a candle on a birthday cake to celebrate his 81st birthday on April 16, 2008, during a reception with President George W. Bush at the White House in Washington, D.C.
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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi kisses the papal ring worn by Pope Benedict XVI as U.S. President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Paul Pelosi look on during an arrival ceremony at the White House on April 16, 2008, in Washington, D
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Even the clergy pulled out cameras to capture the moment during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the White House on April 16, 2008.
CBS
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Thousands gathered on the South Lawn of the White House to see Pope Benedict XVI on April 16, 2008.
CBS
Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Washington Nationals stadium on Thursday for his first public Mass in the United States, waving to the crowd as he stood in the back of a white popemobile.
Tens of thousands of people waved back as the German-born pope was driven through the grounds. A crowd of 46,000 was expected, and the demand for tickets doubled the supply, organizers said.
Barbara and Michael Loh of Williamsburg, Va., sat alone in the stands taking in the scene. They were among the first to arrive.
"I've been Catholic all my life and ... my dream has always been to see the pope," said Barbara Loh, tearing up.
At 5:45 a.m., more than four hours before the Mass, it was standing-room only on subways. Vendors hawked Vatican flags and souvenir buttons, but there were few takers as people hurried toward the stadium.
For others, there was nothing more important than getting in, and many people without tickets stood outside the subway station with signs pleading for extras.
Patty Trail, 54, pastoral associate at a church in Virginia Beach, Va., drove overnight to bring two priests to the Mass. She didn't have a ticket but said she was happy to at least be in the vicinity of the pope.
"Just to be out here, just to be in the presence," she said. "D.C. feels different."
Crews had been hard at work since Sunday, transforming the ballpark into an open air cathedral. The outfield has been covered with plastic flooring and thousands of chairs to expand the stadium's capacity to 48,000.
"There's over 1,300 priests that are going to be here, 261 bishops, 15 cardinals, plus the papal entourage will be in attendance," said Washington Archdiocese Mark Knestaut.
For the communion, roughly 300 deacons from across the country will serve Eucharist to the faithful.
Archbishop Donald Wuerl said, "We will be able to give communion to 45 to 48,000 in less than 20 minutes."
The excitement over the pope's visit was evident Wednesday afternoon, when throngs of people lined Pennsylvania Avenue in hopes of glimpsing the popemobile. Crowds were said to be up to 20 people deep in some places.
"It was exciting and I screamed, 'Your holiness!'" one young spectator said. Added another, "it was definitely worth the trip down here."
The papal visit brings the leader of the Catholic Church to within yards of the faithful young people who look to the pope for spiritual guidance.
After his appearance at the stadium the pope will meet with educators from Catholic University of America - the only higher education institution founded by American bishops.
An inter-faith meeting will be at the tail end of the pope's schedule Thursday. About 200 leaders from the Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist and Hindu communities will attend the meeting at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Pope Benedict XVI Visits America
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