Read a previous article "Pope Benedict's Visit to the United States, Part 1 "

Pope Benedict’s Visit to the United States, Part2:
“Christ Our Hope”

On April 15, Pope Benedict XVI arrived in the United States at Andrews Air Force Base. This was his first visit to the U.S. since he was elected pope three years ago. Although the Pope’s trip was limited to only a few days, he clearly accomplished his mission, “to proclaim this great truth: Jesus Christ is hope for men and women of every language, culture, and social condition.”

Pope Benedict XVI’s itinerary included the following:
Washington, DC, April 16-17, 2008
• Address on the South Lawn and meeting with the President at the White House
• Vespers and address to the U.S. Bishops at the National Shrine
• Mass at Nationals Park
• Address to catholic educators at the Catholic University of America
• Interreligious Gathering at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center on the theme “Peace Our Hope”

New York, April 18-20
• Address to the United Nations, on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Ecumenical Prayer Service at Saint Joseph Parish
• Mass for clergy and religious at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
• Blessing of youth with disabilities at Saint Joseph Seminary
• Rally with seminarians and young people at Saint Joseph Seminary
• Visit to Ground Zero—site of the former World Trade Center
• Mass at Yankee Stadium

Pope Benedict XVI on America, Americans, Freedom and Democracy
In his first public address, the Pope acknowledged his “great respect” for our “vast pluralistic society.” As he continued, he reminded all Americans of the value of our religious freedom. Throughout our history, “all believers have found here the freedom to worship God in accordance with the dictates of their conscience, while at the same time being accepted as part of a commonwealth in which each individual and group can make its voice heard.”

Pope Benedict XVI also reminded Americans that, “Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility.” He continued to explain, “The preservation of freedom calls for the cultivation of virtue, self-discipline, sacrifice for the common good and a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate. It also demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one’s deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate.” Democracy, the Pope proclaimed, “can only flourish, as your founding fathers realized, when political leaders and those whom they represent are guided by truth and bring the wisdom born of firm moral principle to decisions affecting the life and future of the nation.”

Pope Benedict XVI praised America for being “generous in meeting the immediate human needs, fostering development and offering relief to the victims of natural catastrophes.” Then he offered this challenge, “that this concern for the greater human family will continue to find expression in support for the patient efforts of international diplomacy to resolve conflicts and promote progress. In this way, coming generations will be able to live in a world where truth, freedom and justice can flourish—a world where the God-given dignity and rights of every man, woman and child are cherished, protected and effectively advanced.”

Pope Benedict on American Catholics
Pope Benedict XVI is well aware that “American Catholics have made, and continue to make, an excellent contribution to the life of their country.” He told the bishops, “your people are remarkable for their religious fervor and they take pride in belonging to a worshipping community. They have confidence in God, and they do not hesitate to bring moral arguments rooted in biblical faith into their public discourse.”

At the same time, the Pope pointed out how “the subtle influence of secularism can nevertheless color the way people allow their faith to influence their behavior.” He asked the following: “Is it consistent to profess our beliefs in church on Sunday, and then during the week to promote business practices or medical procedures contrary to those beliefs? It is consistent for practicing Catholics to ignore or exploit the poor and the marginalized, to promote sexual behavior contrary to Catholic moral teaching, or to adopt positions that contradict the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death?”

Clearly, the Pope aimed to inspire American Catholics to live as witnesses in the world. He challenged, “Each day, throughout this land, you and so many of your neighbors pray to the Father in the Lord’s own words: ‘thy Kingdom come’. This prayer needs to shape the mind and heart of every Christian in this nation. It needs to bear fruit in the way you lead your lives and in the way you build your families and your communities. To the youth, he decried, “You are Christ’s disciples today. Shine his light upon this great city and beyond. Show the world the reason for this hope that resonates within you.”

What Difference Does this Make to Me?
1. How did Pope Benedict XVI bring hope to the United States? American Catholics? the United Nations?
2. Do you think Americans take their religious freedom for granted?
3. What is meant by “freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility”?
4. In what ways is democracy in the United States flourishing. It ways is democracy not flourishing? What needs to change in order for democracy to flourish?
5. Give examples of how Americans have been generous in responding to natural catastrophes both in the United States and around the world.
6. Do you see people who act one way on Sunday and another way during the week? Do you see it in yourself? Why do you think this happens? What needs to happen in order for this to change?
7. What about your faith, your religion, or your relationship with Christ gives you hope?
8. How do you live as a disciple of Christ?

Prayer for Our Holy Father
Lord God, through baptism you called Pope Benedict XVI to new life in Jesus.
Like your Son, may he be an example of goodness.
Look with love on your faithful Shepherd.
Fill him with your Holy Spirit that he may lead your Church wisely, with courage, fortitude, and understanding.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen.

For more information about Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States, go to uspapalvisit.org.

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Grade 1, chapters 8, 19 and 21
Grade 2, chapters 17 and 21
Grade 3, chapters 8, 15 and 17
Grade 4, chapters 10 and 16
Grade 5, chapters 1, 10, 11, 15 and 23
Grade 6, chapters 7, 13, 14, 18 and 22
Junior High, Mystery of God, chapter 6
Junior High, Morality, chapter 3
Junior High, Church and Sacraments, chapters 1 and 2
Junior high, Jesus in the New Testament, chapter 4
Junior High, Church History, chapter 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12