Papal Visit

New York Overjoyed To See The Pope

Over 20,000 Attend Youth Rally At Yonkers Seminary

NEW YORK (CBS) ― The second day of Pope Benedict XVI's historic visit to New York wrapped up in grand style. A large crowd came to see the pontiff at Saint Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, and more than 20,000 people attended a youth rally that featured an address from the pope, as well as a concert by pop star Kelly Clarkson.

Saturday morning, Benedict made history by becoming the first leader of the Roman Catholic Church to celebrate mass at Saint Patrick's Cathedral. The inspirational service marked the third anniversary of benedict's election by the College of Cardinals.

Upon arriving at St. Patrick's, the pontiff was met outside by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, while former Mayor Rudy Giuliani was inside.

Giuliani received Holy Communion during the service from one of the many clergy who offered the sacrament. That raised some eyebrows since Giuliani has been married three times and supports abortion rights. Catholics who divorce and remarry without getting an annulment from the church cannot receive Communion. Giuliani did receive an annulment after his first marriage.

Benedict blessed the cathedral with holy water before making his way to the altar of the landmark church. As the pope walked down the center aisle, nuns clutched at his robes, showing an enthusiasm for his presence that has spread among the general public.

The German-born pope lamented that what he called "the joy of faith" was often choked by cynicism, greed and violence. Yet he drew an analogy to show how faith can overcome distractions and trials.

"The spires of St. Patrick's Cathedral are dwarfed by the skyscrapers of the Manhattan skyline, yet in the heart of this busy metropolis they are a vivid reminder of the constant yearning of the human spirit to rise to God," he said.

In America, he has said repeatedly, the religious intensity stands out in marked contrast to the tepid spiritual emphasis in his native Europe. That makes the U.S. a testing ground for him in his bid to counter secular trends in the world.

He also returned Saturday to the sex abuse scandal that he said has caused "so much suffering" for the American church, assuring his audience "of my spiritual closeness as you strive to respond with Christian hope to the continuing challenges that this situation presents."

It was the fourth time he has spoken of the scandal since beginning his first papal pilgrimage to the U.S. on Tuesday. While in Washington, he met with a small group of victims from the Boston Archdiocese, where the scandal boiled over in 2002. It was believed to be the first time a pope had met with victims of clerical sex abuse.

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi, meeting with reporters Saturday, was asked if the scandal had dominated the agenda of the trip. He denied that, saying it was part of the central theme of the entire visit, "to give hope to the church in the United States."

Following the mass, came the moment thousands of New Yorkers had been waiting to see: Pope Benedict making his way through the streets of Manhattan, offering papal blessings, to the faithful.

As the pope made his way to St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, many New Yorkers said they would remember Saturday for the rest of their lives.

"I'm a hardcore Catholic and I love the guy," said Toto Felli. "He's awesome." "I'm so excited to see the source of our faith – Pope Benedict," added Joe Damato.

Before the pontiff's arrival at the seminary, dance troupes, rock bands, and pop star Kelly Clarkson entertained the spirited crowd. Many traveled thousands of miles to be in his presence. Seminarians told CBS 2 they came from as far as Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Columbia, Michigan, and Los Angeles.

"I probably will never see the pope in my life again," said Detroit native Noelle Skrznski. "So this is the one time I can do it and it's fabulous." "It's a once in a life time opportunity," added Michelle Oleszkowicz from Plymouth, Michigan. "I'm just so glad I got this opportunity to come to New York and see him."

The pope got a hero's welcome at the youth rally from a festive crowd of 25,000, which burst into wild cheers when Benedict first acknowledged them from the stage. The shy theologian took time to reach out and shake hands with the ecstatic faithful in the front rows. The youngsters, meanwhile, sang "Happy Birthday" to him—he turned 81 on Wednesday—in his native German.

During his speech at the rally, Benedict reflected on the repression of his own youth under Nazism. He urged the young people and seminarians to carry on the faith while enjoying the liberties that they were fortunate to have.

"My own years as a teenager were marred by a sinister regime that thought it had all the answers," he said making a rare reference to his own life. "Its influence grew—infiltrating schools ands civic bodies, as well as politics and even religion—before it was fully recognized for the monster it was."

As the busy day wore on, Benedict showed signs of tiring. His secretary reminded him to give his greetings in Spanish at the youth rally.

"I forgot my Spanish," the pope said with a chuckle. And the crowd laughed.

At the end of the St. Patrick's service, Benedict was clearly moved when his top assistant, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, read a tribute for the third anniversary.

Benedict told the crowd of 3,000 that "I am deeply thankful" for the support they showed him, and for "your love, your prayers." The pope said that he, like St. Peter, was a "man with his faults."

The Rev. Michael Morris, a professor of church history at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, where a youth rally was organized for the pontiff Saturday, attended the Mass, and was among those cheering "Viva il Papa!" as Benedict passed by.

Morris, 47, credits John Paul's 1979 trip to the United States with drawing him toward the priesthood. He hoped Benedict's visit would inspire young men today to do the same.

"I think it was a wonderful boost for priests and religious," said Morris, speaking about the clergy, nuns and brothers in religious communities.

"We're encountering a whole new generation that is very fervent and in many ways more heroic," he said. "They've been through the scandal and they still want to serve."

Benedict himself, on the flight to America from Rome, said as he addressed the scandal that it was more important to have "good priests than to have many priests."

On Sunday, the final day of his trip, the pope will visit ground zero to lead prayers, and later will celebrate a Mass at Yankee Stadium.

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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