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	Pope Connects with Message of Hope, Peace, Stewardship By Most Rev. Michael R. Cote The Day April 19, 2008 http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=6937e25c-355c-4976-925f-638d9082e5f0 In a city designed to inspire awe with its magnificent monuments to the founders and sustainers of this great nation, Thursday the center of inspiration was His Holiness Pope Benedict. Crowds followed him along his route to the events of the day, beginning with his celebration of Mass before 46,000 strong and faithful at Nationals Park. Having observed the crowds all week and again at the stadium, I am so struck by the extraordinary turnout of young people. This pope is a quiet, scholarly and humble man. Yet he has been treated with screaming enthusiasm by the young everywhere he has traveled this week. He is connecting with them. They are connecting with him. That connection to the future is such an unmistakable demonstration of faith and promise. The young are reaching out to Pope Benedict with a keen sense of his presence as vicar of Christ. Before Pope Benedict landed among us here in our nation's capital, there was common speculation that he might not be received as enthusiastically as the beloved and always engaging Pope John Paul II. This was a more reserved pope. And here we are. Pope Benedict is attracting record-setting crowds everywhere he goes, and so many young people among them. This phenomenon speaks in behavior to our Holy Father's message of the thirst for deep spiritual meaning in our lives. At this moment in history — in this world that is at once complicated and yet simple — there is a timeless need for spiritual strength and values. Spirit of evangelization I can tell you that for the first time in my experience as a priest, I have been stopped repeatedly on this trip by strangers who have asked me if I am a bishop and will be seeing the pope. They ask me to send their prayers and support to him. They are connecting to his message of hope and of world peace and stewardship. And I must say that I have personally been inspired by his message to me and my fellow bishops to engage the world in the shaping of its values and its destinations. With each person I have met this week I have been mindful of this spirit of evangelization given to us this week by His Holiness. By now you have seen video clips of the magnificent Mass at the stadium. One part of the ceremonies you may not have seen was Placido Domingo's riveting rendition of "Panis Angelicus." Fittingly, the last words of this strophe are "Per tuas semitas duc nos quo tendimus, ad lucem quam inhabitas." The English translation is "By your ways, lead us who seek the light in which You dwell." This was a sentiment that perfectly captured the moment and visibly moved Placido, who when finished, approached our Holy Father and in a spontaneous gesture, knelt before him. It was a private moment somehow shared by 46,000 close friends. There was so much to draw on from Pope Benedict's rich and thoughtful homily. Given the experience I have had the last few days, watching the young draw so close to the pope, I connected very closely with his statement, "Young people need to be helped to discern the path that leads to true freedom: the path of a sincere and generous imitation of Christ, the path of commitment to justice and peace. Much progress has been made in developing solid programs of catechesis, yet so much more remains to be done in forming the hearts and minds of the young in knowledge and love of the Lord. The challenges confronting us require a comprehensive and sound instruction in the truths of the faith... confidence in the profound harmony of faith and reason — prepared to bring the richness of faith's vision to bear on the urgent issues which affect the future of American society." Hope of a new beginning Pope Benedict further explored the path to the future by reminding us that "the church is constantly reborn and each of us is given the hope of a new beginning. Let us trust in the Spirit's power to inspire conversion, to heal every wound, to overcome every division, and to inspire new life and freedom..." Later Thursday, our Holy Father visited with some survivors of the sexual abuse tragedy expressing to each individually his desire for healing and renewal of faith in God and in each other. The pope has spoken out and reached out on every occasion to be a source of healing and a protector of the young. Thursday evening, the pope met with leaders of Catholic colleges and secondary schools and then met with an interreligious conference at the John Paul II Cultural Center. On both occasions, he spoke of the promise of the young and encouraged all to realize "What an enormous responsibility religious leaders have: to imbue society with a profound awe and respect for human life and freedom; to ensure that human dignity is recognized and cherished; to facilitate peace and justice; to teach children what is right, good and reasonable." With sincere excitement, I am now headed for New York City to witness the pope share his message of hope and peace with waiting crowds and a United Nations Assembly anticipating his message and his peace-centered presence. The Most Rev. Michael R. Cote is bishop of the Diocese of Norwich. He is following the pope during his U.S. visit and has been blogging for The Day.
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