NEWS

Pope Benedict's six-day visit to the United States has been marked by a plethora of anniversaries. Even his own: the Holy Father celebrated his 81st birthday on April 16, the day he met U.S. President George Bush in Washington, DC.

The spring sunshine of the past week had given way to cool air and gray skies. Fog enshrouded the tops of Manhattan's skyline. At Ground Zero, some five storeys below street level where once stood the World Trade Towers, Pope Benedict XVI prayed for the dead and the living.

The spring sunshine of the past week had given way to cool air and gray skies. Fog enshrouded the tops of Manhattan's skyline. At Ground Zero, some five storeys below street level where once stood the World Trade Towers, Pope Benedict XVI prayed for the dead and the living.

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.

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.