THE POPE AT CUA

Rev. David M. O’Connell, university president, introduced Wolf Blitzer to Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to campus.

View the video here.

Interested in purchasing one of the photos that you see through our photography page? We sell 8×10 and 16×20 prints of most of the photos in the albums! E-mail us at admin@popeatcua.com for more information on how to purchase. 8×10 Prints run at $10’s each and 16×20 will run at $25’s a piece.

By: Justine Garbarino (From The Tower Newspaper 04/18/2008):

The “Rock the Pope” law school lawn party offered students the opportunity to welcome Pope Benedict XVI’s arrival to the University on Thursday.

As early as 8 am, students lined up outside the Columbus School of Law awaiting entrance onto the lawn to watch the pope’s mass at National Park on the jumbo-tron at 10 am. Doors were supposed to open at 9 am, but students did not enter until 9:30 am. Replacement tickets were on hand for anyone who did not have a ticket.

Early morning attendance was small. About 100 students were on either side of the fences dividing the lawn to watch the mass.

Students who viewed the mass on the lawn found it extremely beautiful. “The music was so gorgeous. All the settings were very liturgical sounding, but in a contemporary way,” said Spencer Blank, a sophomore piano performance major.

“I liked how he said the homily in two languages,” said junior, Meghan Lynch.
However, some students did not like the television channel that the jumbo-tron showed the mass on.
“It would’ve better if we would have watched it on EWTN instead of news channels. CNN kept on interrupting everything to talk,” said Jim Nolan, a sophomore business major.

Some students were visibly participating in the mass, while others sat and enjoyed. They applauded Pope Benedict when he processed into and exited the stadium, as well as when Catie Picou, senior and President of the Cardinal Student Association, brought up the gifts.

In between the mass and the pope’s arrival, from noon until 5 pm, students took the time to enjoy the sun, friends and other events on the lawn, including a viewing of the movie Sister Act, papal trivia and performances by student a cappella groups Take Note and Red Line.

Attendance grew as thousands of students came to the lawn later in the day. “I think everyone is really looking forward to seeing him here, right in that building,” said Danielle Good, a sophomore vocal performance major, of the Pope’s speech in the Pryzbyla Center.

Rev. Robert Schlageter, better known as Father Bob and Mike Andrews, assistant dean of students, led “CUA loves the pope” cheers prior to the pontiff’s arrival.

Students erupted in cheers when the pope’s motorcade arrived. The cheers continued as the pontiff extended his arms towards the students. He was greeted by University President Rev. David M. O’Connell and Peter Osgood, winner of the papal essay contest.

After his speech, the pope exited the Pryzbyla Center and got into the pope mobile, which was towed onto campus early in the day. He rolled down the window of the vehicle and acknowledged the students one more time before departing.

Students had to stay on the lawn until they received an ‘all clear’ from Secret Service.
“It was obviously a once and a lifetime experience to see the pope,” said freshmen, Michael McGrath.

By: Stephanie Cole (From The Tower Newspaper 04/18/2008):

Pope Benedict XVI addressed the sex abuse within the Church by saying, “no words of mine could describe the pain and harm inflicted by such abuse” at the Mass at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

With over 45,000 people in attendance, the pope arrived at 9:24 am making a loop around the baseball field in his popemobile waving to attendees.

Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl welcomed the pope by saying, “It is my great joy and privilege to offer an enthusiastic welcome on behalf of all who gathered at this Eucharist liturgy as you begin here in the Archdiocese of Washington your first Apostolic Journey to the Church in the United States as Chief Shepherd of the Universal Church.”

The pope’s homily was said in both English and Spanish. “My visit to the United States is meant to be a witness to ‘Christ our Hope.’ Americans have always been a people of hope: your ancestors came to this country with the expectation of finding new freedom and opportunity, while the vastness of the unexplored wilderness inspired in them the hope of being able to start completely anew, building a new nation on new foundations,” said Pope Benedict.

Students who attended were impressed by the straightforward nature of the homily, specifically Benedict’s views on the sexual abuse scandal that rocked the Catholic Church. “He didn’t sugarcoat anything,” said sophomore and future House member Kelsey Flynn.

The pontiff also called upon the worshippers for the acts of healing, reconciliation and assistance to the victims as well as the protection of children in the world.

The readings were conducted in English, Spanish and sign language. In addition to this, petitions were given in six languages which reflected the diversity of the Archdiocese of Washington. Fifty people received communion from the Holy Father and it took 20 minutes for the attendees to receive communion from 300 priests across the United States who were stationed in the aisle ways.
Catie Picou, senior and president of the student body presented the gifts at Mass to the pontiff.

“It was absolutely incredible. It was kind of an awkward exchange because I had the cup in my hands and he had to put his hands on my arms and all the cameras were over his shoulders, but it was the most incredible thing, said Picou. “I had chills the entire mass. I can’t even believe that that happened today in my life.” She received a rosary from the pope as well.

“I was amazed and humbled by the humility, love, and care Pope Benedict XVI showed,” said Flynn. “Just by looking at the expressions on his face throughout the Mass, I could see the love and the hope that the Pope has for the American people.”

Cheers from the crowd included “We love you, Pope Benedict” and “Viva la Papa.” Both senators from Massachusetts, John Kerry and Edward Kennedy were seen at the two hour Mass. Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, General Michael Hayden and D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty were in attendance as well.

By Michael Oliva (From The Tower Newspaper 04/18/2008):

President George W. Bush hosted Pope Benedict XVI with the largest South Lawn gathering of his presidency on Wednesday at the White House.

A soprano, 21-gun salute, military bands and 13,550 attendees greeted the Pontiff on his 81st birthday at the presidential residence.

“You’ve chosen to visit America on your birthday,” said Bush. “Birthdays are traditionally spent with close friends, so our entire nation is moved and honored that you’ve decided to share this special day with us.”

The trip was the first journey to the U.S. since Benedict ascended to the Chair of St. Peter in 2005 and only the second papal visit ever to the White House.

Dozens of student leaders, including members of this and next year’s President’s Society, were offered access to the event by Rev. David M. O’Connell, president of the University, who served on the committee planning the Holy Father’s entire trip.

“It was a really cool feeling to be able to be there and welcome the Pope to America,” said Amanda Cooper, a junior history major who was invited to the event. “It was a really great opportunity that the University offered us, to be there together to represent the University.”

“Americans believe that the measure of a free society is how we treat the weakest and most vulnerable among us,” said Bush. “You’ll find a nation that welcomes the role of faith in the public square. When our Founders declared our nation’s independence, they rested their case on an appeal to the ‘laws of nature, and of nature’s God.’”

Benedict started his remarks by commemorating the bicentennial of the elevation of the diocese of Baltimore to a metropolitan archdiocese and the formation of the archdioceses of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Louisville.

“I come as a friend, a preacher of the Gospel and one with great respect for this vast pluralistic society,” said Benedict. “America’s Catholics have made… an excellent contribution to the life of their country…I trust that my presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the Church in the United States and strengthen the resolve of Catholics to contribute ever more responsibly to the life of this nation.”

The pope described Americans as generous in supporting the needs of others, and lauded the diversity of American culture. He then emphasized the importance of international organizations such as the U.N., saying it has a role in being an “effective voice for the aspirations of all the world’s peoples.”

The pontiff then foreshadowed his speech at Catholic University, saying “[Freedom] is a challenge held out to each generation and it must constantly be won over for the cause of good.”