Pope celebrates Mass at New York's historic St. Patrick's Cathedral
Benedict XVI evokes the architecture of the famed church, packed with clerics and other worshipers, in a message calling for spiritual renewal.
NEW YORK — Using the architecture of St. Patrick's Cathedral as a metaphor, Pope Benedict XVI today brought his message of spiritual renewal to thousands of deacons, priests and the religious.
Celebrating Mass in the church that in many ways is the historic soul of the Roman Catholic presence in the United States, Benedict tailored his message to the clergy, calling for humility and penance.
He contrasted the light within the cathedral to its dark Gothic architecture as a symbol of how spiritual renewal can help cope with the church's and society's problems.
The stately cathedral is perhaps the most famous church in the United States. Its cornerstone was placed on Aug. 15, 1858, when its Fifth Avenue location was closer to being a outpost than the heart of the city as it is today.
As he has throughout his first papal visit to the United States, Benedict in his homily stressed the need for healing within the Roman Catholic Church, still reeling from the clerical sexual abuse scandal.
"Here I simply wish to assure you, dear priests and religious, of my spiritual closeness as you strive to respond with Christian hope to the continuing challenges that this situation presents," Benedict said.
"I join you in praying that this will be a time for healing. I also encourage you to cooperate with your bishops who continue to work effectively to resolve this issue. May our Lord Jesus Christ grant the church in America a renewed sense of unity and purpose, as all -- bishops, clergy, religious and laity -- move forward in hope, in love for the truth and for one another."
He said the church must promote a culture of life, "for true life -- our salvation -- can only be found in the reconciliation, freedom and love which are God's gracious gift.
"This is the message of hope we are called to proclaim and embody in a world where self-centeredness, greed, violence and cynicism so often seem to choke the fragile growth of grace in people's hearts."
Benedict was elected pope on April 19, 2005, and today he noted that anniversary as he praised the assembled clergy for answering the call "to devote your lives to building up the church."
"How can you not think of the countless men and women who have come before us and left us a lasting legacy of faith and good work?" he said.
He praised St. Patrick's, which he blessed with holy water when he entered, "as a house of prayer for all people. Each day, thousands of men, women and children enter its doors, and find peace within its walls."
