News/International

Saturday afternoon in New York in the springtime. The streets in downtown Manhattan are teeming with people of all ages, races and fashions. But Pope Benedict XVI isn't there. He's in Yonkers hugging and kissing disabled children and soaking in the joyful exuberance of youth.

The Knights of Columbus were tickled pink that their founder made a cameo appearance in Pope Benedict's April 19 homily for the Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Fr. Michael McGivney was mentioned as an exemplar of a priestly accomplishment in U.S. history.

The Knights of Columbus were tickled pink that their founder made a cameo appearance in Pope Benedict's April 19 homily for the Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Fr. Michael McGivney was mentioned as an exemplar of a priestly accomplishment in U.S. history.

Surrounded by priests, bishops, cardinals, religious sisters and brothers, not to mention permanent deacons, it's no surprise that Pope Benedict's homily during a Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York would be a little "entre nous." 

Surrounded by priests, bishops, cardinals, religious sisters and brothers, not to mention permanent deacons, it's no surprise that Pope Benedict's homily during a Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York would be a little "entre nous." 

{mosimage}NEW YORK - In his first address to the United Nations, Pope Benedict XVI delivered a staunch defence of religious freedom in the face of secular pressure to privatize faith.

The settiing was St. Joseph's Church in New York's Yorkville, a parish established for German immigrants in 1893. In this temple of worship were gathered some 250 Protestant and Orthodox church leaders, 50 Catholics and Pope Benedict XVI.

The settiing was St. Joseph's Church in New York's Yorkville, a parish established for German immigrants in 1893. In this temple of worship were gathered some 250 Protestant and Orthodox church leaders, 50 Catholics and Pope Benedict XVI.

Had time to kill this afternoon since only a tiny number of journalists were able to accompany Pope Benedict on his visits to Park East Synagogue and St. Joseph's Church. So I wandered around St. Patrick's Cathedral, the very heart of Catholic New York. Half a block away, I was accosted by two young men wearing tight T-shirts, jeans and sneakers.

Had time to kill this afternoon since only a tiny number of journalists were able to accompany Pope Benedict on his visits to Park East Synagogue and St. Joseph's Church. So I wandered around St. Patrick's Cathedral, the very heart of Catholic New York. Half a block away, I was accosted by two young men wearing tight T-shirts, jeans and sneakers.