he visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States achieved, in a nearly unexpected way and measure, its goals” of “encounter with the American population” and of “encouragement to the American Church”, said the Holy See spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, in commenting the pastoral visit of the Pontiff, who this morning returned to Rome.
“In this land of freedom and opportunities, the Church united very different herds into the preaching of faith, and paid a remarkable contribution also to the growth of American society on the whole, by means of its numerous educational, charitable and social deeds”, said the Pope yesterday in the homily of the Mass at the Yankee Stadium in New York, last event of his eighth apostolic visit outside Italy.
“Overcoming any separations between faith and life, by opposing the false gospels of freedom and happiness”, urged the Pontiff to the believers gathered in the stadium, urging them to act “to enrich the American culture and society with the beauty and the truth of the Gospel”.
“In our times, too, the Catholic community of this Nation was great in its prophetic account in
defense of life, for education of the young, care for the poor, the sick and the foreigners among you. On that steady foundation, the future of the Church in America must begin to rise today, too”, added Pope Benedict XVI. Later, in a departure ceremony at the
J. F. Kennedy airport, the Pope said: “These days that I have spent in the United States have been blessed with many memorable experiences”.
Below is the Prayer that Pope Benedict XVI expressed at Ground Zero in NYC
O God of love, compassion, and healing,
look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions,
who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain.
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.
We are mindful as well
of those who suffered death, injury, and loss
on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Our hearts are one with theirs
as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.
God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred.
God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.
(From MISNA)