Manhattan welcomes pope at St. Patrick Cathedral Mass

Pope Benedict XVI began the third anniversary of his pontificate on by becoming the first pope to celebrate Mass at New York City's esteemed St. Patrick Cathedral on April 19. Hundreds of Catholics and fans stood around the cathedral for hours before the morning Mass, while thousands more lined the streets of 5th Avenue hoping for a glimpse of the visiting pontiff.

More than 3,000 priests, deacons, men and women religious and prominent New York figures like Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his predecessor Rudy Giuliani attended the Mass, as New York's Cardinal Edward Egan welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to the largest Gothic-style cathedral in the United States.

"I am happy to celebrate this Mass with you, who have been chosen by the Lord, who have answered his call, and who devote your lives to the pursuit of holiness, the spread of the Gospel and the building up of the Church in faith, hope and love," the pope said.

Pope Benedict XVI's homily stressed the themes of the Holy Spirit and evangelization, giving support to the men and women religious in their missions as well as calling all people to love and help those who suffer.

"Act as beacons of hope, casting the light of Christ upon the world, and encouraging young people to discover the beauty of a life given completely to the Lord and his Church," the pope said. "I make this plea in a particular way to the many seminarians and young religious present. All of you have a special place in my heart. Never forget that you are called to carry on, with all the enthusiasm and joy that the Spirit has given you, a work that others have begun, a legacy that one day, you too will have to pass on to a new generation."

Audio of the two-hour Mass was broadcast through speakers outside the cathedral, while many local and cable stations carried the televised Mass in full. Teens and women religious standing outside the cathedral kept their spirits up with songs and chants like "Benedicto."

Every diocese in the nation was represented at the Mass. Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, Bishop Edward Grosz and Father David LiPuma attended from Buffalo. In addition, Kenmore native and current leader of the Ogdensburg Diocese, Bishop Robert Cunningham, and former Buffalo bishop, Archbishop Henry J. Mansell of Hartford, were also in attendance.

"It was a big demonstration of love for the Holy Father," Bishop Kmiec said of the Mass. "It's a joint task for all of us to spread the Gospel. The Mass was for the universal church today, and he called us to it. He told us of the challenges, but not to be deterred and to go further."

"It was wonderful to see the tremendous enthusiasm in which everybody greeted him," said Archbishop Mansell. "His response was so gracious. To see somebody who has been such a quiet, humble, modest, gentle priest who was a scholar for so many years, do so well in large crowds, shows such tremendous enthusiasm and poise."

"It was a wonderful experience of the Church," said Bishop Cunningham.