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	Worcester Bishop Heads for Meetings with Pope WBZ April 14, 2008 http://wbztv.com/local/worcester/pope.benedict.xvi.2.699461.html [with video] WASHINGTON (AP) Pope Benedict XVI begins his first trip to the United States on Tuesday. Tens of thousands of Catholics are expected to flock to the East Coast for the pontiff's appearances in Washington and New York. Worcester Bishop Robert McManus is among those who will meet with the Pope during his U.S. trip. He for one, believes Pope Benedict XVI will address many of the issues concerning local Catholics. "There's a restlessness in our country on various levels," Bishop McManus told WBZ-TV's Ron Sanders. "I think the Holy Father would say part of that restlessness derives from the fact that people are losing a sense of hope." Bishop McManus will meet with the Pope in New York and Washington. He says he thinks the pontiff will address war and the clergy sex abuse crisis, even though he's not coming to Massachusetts - the epicenter of the scandal. "I think he's going to make a very clear call that the church has to do everything in her power to heal this type of hurt that's been perpetrated by some of the clergy," Bishop McManus said. Parishioners at St. Paul's Cathedral in Worcester say they pray Pope Benedict addresses additional problems they feel are urgent. "One of my big hopes is with immigration; if he can say something about it. It's a big problem for us in this country," said Fanny Escobar. "The war is a problem," said parishioner Narinee Subhaw. "We need all the troops to come back home." The 264th successor of St. Peter is known for a gentle spirit but also as a Vatican hardliner who condemns abortion and homosexuality. Yet his message to U.S. Catholics centers on the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
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