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American Morning
Pope Benedict XVI Delivers First Homily; Columbine Anniversary
Aired April 20, 2005 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: 9:30 here in New York. Good morning, everybody. Welcome back here. I'm Bill Hemmer.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Carol Costello, in for Soledad this morning.
For the first time in 26 years, a pope other than John Paul II celebrating mass at the Vatican today. Benedict XVI charting his course as pope this morning. We'll look at where he says he'll lead the Catholic Church.
HEMMER: Also in a moment here, Carol, a unique opportunity to get reaction to the new pope from outside the Christian faith. We're joined today by a distinguished imam and a rabbi in a few moments, giving us their impressions of Benedict XVI. So it should be interesting.
COSTELLO: That's exactly what I was going to say. Let's check the headlines now with Valerie Morris. Good morning.
VALERIE MORRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning again, everyone. And good morning to you. "Now in the News," this just in.
Reports this morning that dozens of bodies have been found in the Tigris River, that's south of Baghdad. And that is according to a Reuters report. The Associated Press is reporting more than a dozen bodies have been found in a soccer stadium northwest of Baghdad. Those reports have not been confirmed. We will be providing you more information as it becomes available.
A federal judge is set to meet today with terror suspect Zacarias Moussaoui. Moussaoui has indicated that he's willing to plead guilty to charges against him. The judge must decide whether Moussaoui is mentally competent. Moussaoui is the only person in the United States charged in connection with the September 11th terror attacks.
Columbine High School is closed this morning, closed in remembrance of this country's deadliest school shooting. It was six years ago today when Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold shot and killed 12 classmates and a teacher before taking their own lives. A moment of silence is planned in the victims' honor today.
The Michael Jackson trial resumes today, for only half a day. The mother of Jackson's accuser finished Tuesday after five days on the stand. The accuser's grandmother also took the stand. She claims the boy was distant after leaving Neverland Ranch for a final time. Prosecutors say they expect to wrap up their case by the end of next week.
And a rescue of a helicopter crash in the Florida Everglades. These pictures just into CNN. Rescuers are on the scene there. It is not clear if anyone is injured. We'll keep an eye on that, as well. And that's the very latest in news. Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: All right, Valerie, thanks.
The new pope now, Benedict XVI, gave some strong indications already today, the path that he will take for the Catholic Church.
Back to the Vatican, back to Alessio Vinci. Good afternoon there, Alessio.
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill.
Well, Cardinal Ratzinger may have been elected pope in just one day, but the first thing he did this morning was to go back inside the Sistine Chapel with all his cardinals.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VINCI (voice-over): Joseph Ratzinger celebrated his first mass as Pope Benedict XVI in the same chapel where cardinals elevated him to the papacy the evening before. The pope's much anticipated homily was replaced by a long, reflective meditation, followed by a pledge to try and unite all Christians and continue an open and sincere dialogue with other religions. Then, he shared his innermost emotions.
POPE BENEDICT XVI (through translator): There are two contrasting feelings in my soul. For one moment, I feel an inadequacy and an inner disquiet because of the responsibility entrusted in me from the apostle Peter toward the universal church. On the other hand, I feel a profound gratitude towards God.
VINCI: As pilgrims watched the mass broadcast live in St. Peter's Square, Rome was getting back to its usual bustling self, with Romans debating the election of yet another non-Italian pope.
"We were hoping he'd be Italian," he says, "because we grew up with Italian popes."
With a handful of Romans among the Italian cardinals in the conclave, some Romans say they hoped the pontiff would be a local.
"I am Roman, so, of course, I would have liked a Roman pope," she says, "but not all Italians agree."
"Any pope will do," says this policeman, "as long as he continues along John Paul II's path."
Just behind the Vatican, at one of the new pope's favorite restaurants, owner Nicola Marcazani (ph) says nationality is irrelevant. "It was very emotional for me to see him emerging from the balcony," he says, "especially having served him and exchanged a few words with him so often."
And does the new pope prefer German or Roman dishes? Marcazani (ph) says Ratzinger loved spaghetti with fresh tomatoes and fettucini with shrimp and zucchini.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VINCI: And Bill, I'm not tell you whether Italian spaghetti or German food, but I will -- what I will tell you is that when I did this interview earlier this morning, one American girl told us, "Of course you Italians want an Italian pope. We Americans only have American presidents." I told her it was not really the same thing, but...
HEMMER: And what we're thinking back here in New York, we all like that food, too, by the way, Alessio. No surprise. Thanks. Alessio Vinci at the Vatican.
In his first mass this morning, Pope Benedict XVI laid out the goals of his papacy. One of them is to reach out to people of other faiths. That's what we're doing right now.
Rabbi Arthur Schneider with the Appeal of Conscience here in New York City, at that foundation, also the synagogue, Park East, in Manhattan. Also, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf for the Farah Mosque of New York, also wrote the book "What's Right With Islam is What's Right With America." Nice to see you, gentlemen. Good morning to you.
What are you listening for, from this pope?
IMAN FEISAL ABDUL RAUF, FARAH MOSQUE: Well, first, let me congratulate Cardinal Ratzinger and our Catholic friends on the election of a new pope. What we look for, certainly, is that he continue his commitment toward dialogue among faith traditions and try to heal the -- further heal the divides that exists between members of different faith traditions, that he use his deploy his soft power to help bring expedite the process of peace in the Holy Land.
And there are other issues that the Muslim world would like to see, too, which is the acceleration of freedoms and moral and social justice in various countries of the Muslim world, as the prior pope did, not only for Poland, but also for the Phillipines.
HEMMER: You mention the issue of dialogue. Rabbi Schneider, is there any doubt that this pope will continue the dialogue that Pope John Paul II started?
RABBI ARTHUR SCHNEIDER, APPEAL OF CONSCIENCE FOUNDATION: No, because he stood side by side with Pope John Paul II for over 20 years. Basically, he was the theological underpinning for every major outreach. So that it's a continuity, basically. It's a continuity of a legacy that Pope John Paul II left behind.
I -- just wondering about priorities, though, priorities I think that Pope John Paul II has to pay attention to some of the challenges, the burning issues facing the Roman Catholic Church. While at the same time, not neglecting, you know, the dialogue and outreach. I do believe the statement that Pope Benedict the XVI -- we have to get used to the...
HEMMER: Yes, we do.
SCHNEIDER: The -- this morning, actually, outlining his vision. He spoke about dialogue with Muslims and Jews and so forth. Because, you cannot just be a theologian, you also have to face reality. And the reality is, we need to energize the children of Abraham in a very challenging time in world history and that requires partnership.
HEMMER: Two issues here. Five years ago, Pope Benedict XVI made a statement that Christianity is the main truth when it comes to religion. As a Muslim, does that bother you? Or how are you to interpret a statement like that?
RAUF: Well, first, let me say that (INAUDIBLE) believe that when a person undergoes a change of name, any change of role, there is also a change of personality and a change of attitude towards issues. But having -- I mean, changing from the policeman of the Catholic Church to the pope is a very important, significant change. However, even with that, there is always space that -- for people of different opinions, regarding what they think is of the ultimate and essential values, to find space in society that allows people to honor and respect each other.
Rabbi David Hartman (ph) was once asked by Acehtaque (ph) Institution would Christians be happier if Jews -- would Jews be happier, I'm sorry, if Christians did not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ? He said, I don't care what Christians believe of Jesus Christ, as long as that belief does not translate into kicking us out of party, denying us our human rights. And this, I think, is the key issue that not only Muslims but non-Muslims and members of other faith traditions would like to see and expect of the pope.
HEMMER: Let's see. Reverend Schneider, you've met him twice, right?
SCHNEIDER: Yes.
HEMMER: And you spoke in German together, right?
SCHNEIDER: Correct. I'm a Holocaust survivor. I was born in Vienna, so...
HEMMER: You're leading me right to my next question here, about him as a young man growing up in Germany, a member of the Hitler youth, later of member of the German army. We're told he deserted and his father was very much against the Nazi rule at that time. Does this concern you?
SCHNEIDER: Not at all. It doesn't concern me, because Pope John Paul II, who suffered under the tyranny of the Nazis, had lived 60 kilometers from Auschwitz, would never have taken a partner, bringing Cardinal Ratzinger to the curia, if there had been any doubt in his mind. So I think that in the days of the Nazis, if you were a teenager, most of the teenagers belonged to the Hitler youth, just like in the communist Soviet Union, you had the young pioneers.
If anything, I believe if you read his writings, speaking about Benedict XVI, he certainly was influenced by the Nazi tyranny that bought havoc on millions and millions of people. And actually it was a very important statement he made, Vatican statement, that he was responsible for, memory and reconciliation, the church and the faults of the past, and he said whether Nazi -- he was wondering whether Nazi persecution of Jews was not made easier by the anti-Jewish prejudices embedded in some Christian mind and hearts. This was Ratzinger in the year 2000.
HEMMER: That's a heck of a statement. Rabbi, thanks. Imam (INAUDIBLE), thank you as well. Thank you a well. Nice to speak with you both.
SCHNEIER: Thank you, Bill.
HEMMER: Here's, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Today's the sixth anniversary of the Columbine High School Shootings in Colorado. Craig Scott was a student in the middle of the mayhem. He lost his sister and two friends on that day, but now he's working to turn the terrifying experience into something positive.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CRAIG SCOTT: I think that there was a lot of fingers being pointed after Columbine happened at a lot of different things. The biggest blame lied with the two shooters themselves. The library was the first room that the two shooters entered. They came over to where I was sitting and they saw my friend, Isaiah, and Isaiah was so scared. And the last thing he heard in his life was racial slurs being made against him, and the last thing he said was, "I want to see my mom."
After the two shooters killed Matt and Isaiah next to me and then left the library, I heard a voice tell me to get out of there, and I yelled at everybody, I said, come on, let's get out of here, I think they're gone. I asked somebody, do you have a friend or do you have a brother or sister that's in school that I can pray for? And all along, I had this feeling like something wasn't right with my sister Rachel. They came up and began to mock her for her Christian beliefs. Her final moment was when Eric picked her up by her hair and asked her, do you still believe in God? And she said, yes, I do. He said, well, go be with him.
I'm going to Colorado Film Institute. I'm studying film and video. The shooters at Columbine were really influenced by violence through the media. They dwelled on it. And so I have an interest in making things that will be just as entertaining, yet they'll reinforce positive values. And this last spring, I got to work on a movie which was called "End of Spear" and it will be in theaters in 2006. It was in the jungles of Panama. And on the set, I was assistant to producer, but I also got to be the stuntman.
I also travel and I speak in high schools for a program called Rachel's Challenge, for my dad's program. Kids need to know that their choices, their actions on others have an effect. They need to know that they matter. They need to know that they have worth. ]
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: It's Ryan Seacrest all over the place. It's time once again for "90-Second Pop," and the gang is all here. Andy Borowitz from borowitzreport.com. Karyn Bryant, co-host of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." And Toure, CNN pop culture correspondent.
Welcome to all of you.
Ryan Seacrest is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
KARYN BRYANT, CNN CO-HOST, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": That's right.
COSTELLO: That's just wrong, Karyn.
BRYANT: It's -- I'm going to say it's premature. I mean, you know, he has been in the -- he's getting it for his radio service, and he does host "American Top 40." And he's...
COSTELLO: Well, whoopty-doo (ph)!
BRYANT: And he's host of, you know, KISS FM's morning show in Los Angeles, which is very popular. And obviously he's also the host of "American Idol."
COSTELLO: Yes, I listen to it all the time.
BRYANT: But, you know, it just takes some petitioning, some money, and five years of service. So...
TOURE, CNN POP CULTURE CORRESPONDENT: Well, mostly money.
BRYANT: Fifteen thousand dollars to get a star.
TOURE: Yes.
ANDY BOROWITZ, BOROWITZREPORT.COM: You know, when I heard that he got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the only two words that came to my mind were "long overdue." I think this is -- I mean, I think the pope story has kind of overshadowed this, but it's a big deal that Ryan Seacrest got it, because...
BRYANT: You know...
TOURE: He's a dweeb, right?
BRYANT: Thank you.
TOURE: Like, the definition of that word.
BRYANT: Thank you.
TOURE: If he can get a star, anyone can get a star. Radio show notwithstanding, might I point out that his television show lasted less time than...
BRYANT: Right.
TOURE: ... Tempest Bledsoe's show.
BRYANT: Right. No, "On the air" was not a huge success. All I'm saying was that he actually does a pretty good job on "American Idol," because that show...
TOURE: He's a dork!
BRYANT: Listen, that show is supposed to appeal to all kinds of age groups. I think older ladies...
TOURE: He doesn't appeal to me.
BRYANT: Well...
TOURE: He doesn't appeal to you.
BRYANT: No, but I'm just saying...
COSTELLO: This is what we should do. I have an idea. We should submit Bill Hemmer's name for a star.
TOURE: Yay!
COSTELLO: CNN can pony up 15,000 bucks, and we'll see what happens.
TOURE: And Bill...
BRYANT: That would be fantastic.
TOURE: Bill deserves one more than this dweeb, Ryan Seacrest.
COSTELLO: Exactly. His can be...
HEMMER: So, at the end of the show, I can say, like, 'Hemmer out.'
TOURE: Yes!
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: We're loving that. His star can be right next to Lassie's. OK, we have to move on.
HEMMER: You dog!
COSTELLO: I know. Let's talk about "American Idol" since we're on the subject of Ryan Seacrest. And the singers on there, all of whom I don't really know because they don't really excite me. But, Toure, you're tapped in.
TOURE: Well, actually there is one who actually excited me. Vonzell came out and did "I'm Every Woman," and gave me chills actually. I haven't gotten chills from the "American Idol" like ever. So, she really, really, rocked that song.
BRYANT: That's a tough song.
TOURE: It's a tough song. She performed the heck out of it. I feel like Randy now, "You did the right song, Dawg."
BOROWITZ: It is hard. I have sung "I'm Every Woman" many times, and it never really hits it.
BRYANT: I know. She...
TOURE: Also great, Constantine.
BRYANT: Constantine is...
TOURE: I like Constantine. He can really perform.
BRYANT: Last night, I think he really showed that he has a chance to win this, although I thought he looked a little bloated. I don't know. His face, you know, I am a fan. I don't know if some of these people are living a little hard now that the pressure is on. Some of them looked a little puffy this week, that's all.
TOURE: And let's go to, of course, what you're waiting for, the wackiest one of the night.
BRYANT: Yes.
TOURE: Thankfully Karyn and I agree.
BRYANT: Yes.
TOURE: Anthony, oh, my god! He looks like a light bulb. He dances like one, too. He's completely insipid.
COSTELLO: Oh!
TOURE: He's just howling. He's not singing.
BRYANT: He is so green.
TOURE: Yelling loud is not singing.
BRYANT: Yes.
COSTELLO: Actually, that's what Simon... BRYANT: You would (INAUDIBLE) if that were on.
TOURE: No.
COSTELLO: That's what Simon called him last night, insipid.
TOURE: Insipid.
BRYANT: Yes.
BOROWITZ: I think that means he's got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame coming up.
COSTELLO: Right. Right next to Bill Hemmer, Lassie and then it's him. I'm just kidding. I'm kidding.
You can see Karyn Bryant, by the way, and A.J. Hammer every night on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." Tonight, they talk to actress Pamela Anderson about her new TV show, "Stacked." That's on Headline News at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, with replays at 10:00 p.m. and midnight.
Thanks to Andy, Karyn and Toure.
I'm exhausted, Bill. Back to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: You'll get your Costello. Oh, yes.
An online trading company has a bit of explaining to do, namely how a misplaced data tape put hundreds of thousand of customers at risk for I.D. theft.
Andy explains after the break.
Come on over here Carol.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Here's Andy, "Minding Your Business," checking on the markets first.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Indeed, Bill.
Markets dancing all around. We'll have to look at the Big Board, see what's going on. Up 8 here, Yahoo! and Intel leading the way in the markets this morning. Ameritrade has an I.D. theft problem. They've notified 200,000 of their customers out of 3.7 million customers that their identities may have been compromised. A tape got lost in transit. We have the letter that they sent out to their customers. "We sincerely apologize for this unusual event and any discomfort it may cause you." I usually thought discomfort referred to a physical malady, but...
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: That's what you get when you have a colonoscopy. SERWER: Yes, it's a physical discomfort.
Maybe there's a metaphor here.
And then quickly, just an endnote here, Ford Taurus apparently will be no more as of early 2006. Ford is going to be ending that model. Goes back to 1986. Most popular car in the 1990s, between '92 and '97. Published reports say this is going to be happening. 6.7 million sold. The car's made in Atlanta, where they employ 2,000 workers there. And no word on what's going to happen to that plant or those employees.
HEMMER: But they'll have another car.
SERWER: The jellybean shaped Ford Taurus. Yes, there's a new Ford Fusion coming around.
HEMMER: Thanks, Andy.
SERWER: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: Time now for Jack.
CAFFERTY: Final episode of the Question of the Day, which is, what does the new pope have to do to unite the Catholic Church? Nick in Pennsylvania says, "Social issues are media pablum (ph). Change didn't get the catholic church through 21 centuries, the holy spirit did. Let us embrace the separation of church and media."
Allen in Tennessee writes, "How can anyone unite a church that has a fundamental precept, subordinates women as second-class citizens?" Signed Carol Costello.
COSTELLO: Amen, Allen.
CAFFERTY: And Paul in Oklahoma City writes this, "Habemus Papam Rutilus Civitas -- we have a red state pope."
SERWER: Wow, in Latin.
CAFFERTY: In Latin. Fabulous responses today.
Good stuff. Good stuff. Smart people were off yesterday, but they watched this morning.
HEMMER: They're back.
COSTELLO: We'll be right back as well.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired April 20, 2005 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: 9:30 here in New York. Good morning, everybody. Welcome back here. I'm Bill Hemmer.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Carol Costello, in for Soledad this morning.
For the first time in 26 years, a pope other than John Paul II celebrating mass at the Vatican today. Benedict XVI charting his course as pope this morning. We'll look at where he says he'll lead the Catholic Church.
HEMMER: Also in a moment here, Carol, a unique opportunity to get reaction to the new pope from outside the Christian faith. We're joined today by a distinguished imam and a rabbi in a few moments, giving us their impressions of Benedict XVI. So it should be interesting.
COSTELLO: That's exactly what I was going to say. Let's check the headlines now with Valerie Morris. Good morning.
VALERIE MORRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning again, everyone. And good morning to you. "Now in the News," this just in.
Reports this morning that dozens of bodies have been found in the Tigris River, that's south of Baghdad. And that is according to a Reuters report. The Associated Press is reporting more than a dozen bodies have been found in a soccer stadium northwest of Baghdad. Those reports have not been confirmed. We will be providing you more information as it becomes available.
A federal judge is set to meet today with terror suspect Zacarias Moussaoui. Moussaoui has indicated that he's willing to plead guilty to charges against him. The judge must decide whether Moussaoui is mentally competent. Moussaoui is the only person in the United States charged in connection with the September 11th terror attacks.
Columbine High School is closed this morning, closed in remembrance of this country's deadliest school shooting. It was six years ago today when Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold shot and killed 12 classmates and a teacher before taking their own lives. A moment of silence is planned in the victims' honor today.
The Michael Jackson trial resumes today, for only half a day. The mother of Jackson's accuser finished Tuesday after five days on the stand. The accuser's grandmother also took the stand. She claims the boy was distant after leaving Neverland Ranch for a final time. Prosecutors say they expect to wrap up their case by the end of next week.
And a rescue of a helicopter crash in the Florida Everglades. These pictures just into CNN. Rescuers are on the scene there. It is not clear if anyone is injured. We'll keep an eye on that, as well. And that's the very latest in news. Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: All right, Valerie, thanks.
The new pope now, Benedict XVI, gave some strong indications already today, the path that he will take for the Catholic Church.
Back to the Vatican, back to Alessio Vinci. Good afternoon there, Alessio.
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill.
Well, Cardinal Ratzinger may have been elected pope in just one day, but the first thing he did this morning was to go back inside the Sistine Chapel with all his cardinals.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VINCI (voice-over): Joseph Ratzinger celebrated his first mass as Pope Benedict XVI in the same chapel where cardinals elevated him to the papacy the evening before. The pope's much anticipated homily was replaced by a long, reflective meditation, followed by a pledge to try and unite all Christians and continue an open and sincere dialogue with other religions. Then, he shared his innermost emotions.
POPE BENEDICT XVI (through translator): There are two contrasting feelings in my soul. For one moment, I feel an inadequacy and an inner disquiet because of the responsibility entrusted in me from the apostle Peter toward the universal church. On the other hand, I feel a profound gratitude towards God.
VINCI: As pilgrims watched the mass broadcast live in St. Peter's Square, Rome was getting back to its usual bustling self, with Romans debating the election of yet another non-Italian pope.
"We were hoping he'd be Italian," he says, "because we grew up with Italian popes."
With a handful of Romans among the Italian cardinals in the conclave, some Romans say they hoped the pontiff would be a local.
"I am Roman, so, of course, I would have liked a Roman pope," she says, "but not all Italians agree."
"Any pope will do," says this policeman, "as long as he continues along John Paul II's path."
Just behind the Vatican, at one of the new pope's favorite restaurants, owner Nicola Marcazani (ph) says nationality is irrelevant. "It was very emotional for me to see him emerging from the balcony," he says, "especially having served him and exchanged a few words with him so often."
And does the new pope prefer German or Roman dishes? Marcazani (ph) says Ratzinger loved spaghetti with fresh tomatoes and fettucini with shrimp and zucchini.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VINCI: And Bill, I'm not tell you whether Italian spaghetti or German food, but I will -- what I will tell you is that when I did this interview earlier this morning, one American girl told us, "Of course you Italians want an Italian pope. We Americans only have American presidents." I told her it was not really the same thing, but...
HEMMER: And what we're thinking back here in New York, we all like that food, too, by the way, Alessio. No surprise. Thanks. Alessio Vinci at the Vatican.
In his first mass this morning, Pope Benedict XVI laid out the goals of his papacy. One of them is to reach out to people of other faiths. That's what we're doing right now.
Rabbi Arthur Schneider with the Appeal of Conscience here in New York City, at that foundation, also the synagogue, Park East, in Manhattan. Also, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf for the Farah Mosque of New York, also wrote the book "What's Right With Islam is What's Right With America." Nice to see you, gentlemen. Good morning to you.
What are you listening for, from this pope?
IMAN FEISAL ABDUL RAUF, FARAH MOSQUE: Well, first, let me congratulate Cardinal Ratzinger and our Catholic friends on the election of a new pope. What we look for, certainly, is that he continue his commitment toward dialogue among faith traditions and try to heal the -- further heal the divides that exists between members of different faith traditions, that he use his deploy his soft power to help bring expedite the process of peace in the Holy Land.
And there are other issues that the Muslim world would like to see, too, which is the acceleration of freedoms and moral and social justice in various countries of the Muslim world, as the prior pope did, not only for Poland, but also for the Phillipines.
HEMMER: You mention the issue of dialogue. Rabbi Schneider, is there any doubt that this pope will continue the dialogue that Pope John Paul II started?
RABBI ARTHUR SCHNEIDER, APPEAL OF CONSCIENCE FOUNDATION: No, because he stood side by side with Pope John Paul II for over 20 years. Basically, he was the theological underpinning for every major outreach. So that it's a continuity, basically. It's a continuity of a legacy that Pope John Paul II left behind.
I -- just wondering about priorities, though, priorities I think that Pope John Paul II has to pay attention to some of the challenges, the burning issues facing the Roman Catholic Church. While at the same time, not neglecting, you know, the dialogue and outreach. I do believe the statement that Pope Benedict the XVI -- we have to get used to the...
HEMMER: Yes, we do.
SCHNEIDER: The -- this morning, actually, outlining his vision. He spoke about dialogue with Muslims and Jews and so forth. Because, you cannot just be a theologian, you also have to face reality. And the reality is, we need to energize the children of Abraham in a very challenging time in world history and that requires partnership.
HEMMER: Two issues here. Five years ago, Pope Benedict XVI made a statement that Christianity is the main truth when it comes to religion. As a Muslim, does that bother you? Or how are you to interpret a statement like that?
RAUF: Well, first, let me say that (INAUDIBLE) believe that when a person undergoes a change of name, any change of role, there is also a change of personality and a change of attitude towards issues. But having -- I mean, changing from the policeman of the Catholic Church to the pope is a very important, significant change. However, even with that, there is always space that -- for people of different opinions, regarding what they think is of the ultimate and essential values, to find space in society that allows people to honor and respect each other.
Rabbi David Hartman (ph) was once asked by Acehtaque (ph) Institution would Christians be happier if Jews -- would Jews be happier, I'm sorry, if Christians did not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ? He said, I don't care what Christians believe of Jesus Christ, as long as that belief does not translate into kicking us out of party, denying us our human rights. And this, I think, is the key issue that not only Muslims but non-Muslims and members of other faith traditions would like to see and expect of the pope.
HEMMER: Let's see. Reverend Schneider, you've met him twice, right?
SCHNEIDER: Yes.
HEMMER: And you spoke in German together, right?
SCHNEIDER: Correct. I'm a Holocaust survivor. I was born in Vienna, so...
HEMMER: You're leading me right to my next question here, about him as a young man growing up in Germany, a member of the Hitler youth, later of member of the German army. We're told he deserted and his father was very much against the Nazi rule at that time. Does this concern you?
SCHNEIDER: Not at all. It doesn't concern me, because Pope John Paul II, who suffered under the tyranny of the Nazis, had lived 60 kilometers from Auschwitz, would never have taken a partner, bringing Cardinal Ratzinger to the curia, if there had been any doubt in his mind. So I think that in the days of the Nazis, if you were a teenager, most of the teenagers belonged to the Hitler youth, just like in the communist Soviet Union, you had the young pioneers.
If anything, I believe if you read his writings, speaking about Benedict XVI, he certainly was influenced by the Nazi tyranny that bought havoc on millions and millions of people. And actually it was a very important statement he made, Vatican statement, that he was responsible for, memory and reconciliation, the church and the faults of the past, and he said whether Nazi -- he was wondering whether Nazi persecution of Jews was not made easier by the anti-Jewish prejudices embedded in some Christian mind and hearts. This was Ratzinger in the year 2000.
HEMMER: That's a heck of a statement. Rabbi, thanks. Imam (INAUDIBLE), thank you as well. Thank you a well. Nice to speak with you both.
SCHNEIER: Thank you, Bill.
HEMMER: Here's, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Today's the sixth anniversary of the Columbine High School Shootings in Colorado. Craig Scott was a student in the middle of the mayhem. He lost his sister and two friends on that day, but now he's working to turn the terrifying experience into something positive.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CRAIG SCOTT: I think that there was a lot of fingers being pointed after Columbine happened at a lot of different things. The biggest blame lied with the two shooters themselves. The library was the first room that the two shooters entered. They came over to where I was sitting and they saw my friend, Isaiah, and Isaiah was so scared. And the last thing he heard in his life was racial slurs being made against him, and the last thing he said was, "I want to see my mom."
After the two shooters killed Matt and Isaiah next to me and then left the library, I heard a voice tell me to get out of there, and I yelled at everybody, I said, come on, let's get out of here, I think they're gone. I asked somebody, do you have a friend or do you have a brother or sister that's in school that I can pray for? And all along, I had this feeling like something wasn't right with my sister Rachel. They came up and began to mock her for her Christian beliefs. Her final moment was when Eric picked her up by her hair and asked her, do you still believe in God? And she said, yes, I do. He said, well, go be with him.
I'm going to Colorado Film Institute. I'm studying film and video. The shooters at Columbine were really influenced by violence through the media. They dwelled on it. And so I have an interest in making things that will be just as entertaining, yet they'll reinforce positive values. And this last spring, I got to work on a movie which was called "End of Spear" and it will be in theaters in 2006. It was in the jungles of Panama. And on the set, I was assistant to producer, but I also got to be the stuntman.
I also travel and I speak in high schools for a program called Rachel's Challenge, for my dad's program. Kids need to know that their choices, their actions on others have an effect. They need to know that they matter. They need to know that they have worth. ]
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: It's Ryan Seacrest all over the place. It's time once again for "90-Second Pop," and the gang is all here. Andy Borowitz from borowitzreport.com. Karyn Bryant, co-host of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." And Toure, CNN pop culture correspondent.
Welcome to all of you.
Ryan Seacrest is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
KARYN BRYANT, CNN CO-HOST, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": That's right.
COSTELLO: That's just wrong, Karyn.
BRYANT: It's -- I'm going to say it's premature. I mean, you know, he has been in the -- he's getting it for his radio service, and he does host "American Top 40." And he's...
COSTELLO: Well, whoopty-doo (ph)!
BRYANT: And he's host of, you know, KISS FM's morning show in Los Angeles, which is very popular. And obviously he's also the host of "American Idol."
COSTELLO: Yes, I listen to it all the time.
BRYANT: But, you know, it just takes some petitioning, some money, and five years of service. So...
TOURE, CNN POP CULTURE CORRESPONDENT: Well, mostly money.
BRYANT: Fifteen thousand dollars to get a star.
TOURE: Yes.
ANDY BOROWITZ, BOROWITZREPORT.COM: You know, when I heard that he got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the only two words that came to my mind were "long overdue." I think this is -- I mean, I think the pope story has kind of overshadowed this, but it's a big deal that Ryan Seacrest got it, because...
BRYANT: You know...
TOURE: He's a dweeb, right?
BRYANT: Thank you.
TOURE: Like, the definition of that word.
BRYANT: Thank you.
TOURE: If he can get a star, anyone can get a star. Radio show notwithstanding, might I point out that his television show lasted less time than...
BRYANT: Right.
TOURE: ... Tempest Bledsoe's show.
BRYANT: Right. No, "On the air" was not a huge success. All I'm saying was that he actually does a pretty good job on "American Idol," because that show...
TOURE: He's a dork!
BRYANT: Listen, that show is supposed to appeal to all kinds of age groups. I think older ladies...
TOURE: He doesn't appeal to me.
BRYANT: Well...
TOURE: He doesn't appeal to you.
BRYANT: No, but I'm just saying...
COSTELLO: This is what we should do. I have an idea. We should submit Bill Hemmer's name for a star.
TOURE: Yay!
COSTELLO: CNN can pony up 15,000 bucks, and we'll see what happens.
TOURE: And Bill...
BRYANT: That would be fantastic.
TOURE: Bill deserves one more than this dweeb, Ryan Seacrest.
COSTELLO: Exactly. His can be...
HEMMER: So, at the end of the show, I can say, like, 'Hemmer out.'
TOURE: Yes!
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: We're loving that. His star can be right next to Lassie's. OK, we have to move on.
HEMMER: You dog!
COSTELLO: I know. Let's talk about "American Idol" since we're on the subject of Ryan Seacrest. And the singers on there, all of whom I don't really know because they don't really excite me. But, Toure, you're tapped in.
TOURE: Well, actually there is one who actually excited me. Vonzell came out and did "I'm Every Woman," and gave me chills actually. I haven't gotten chills from the "American Idol" like ever. So, she really, really, rocked that song.
BRYANT: That's a tough song.
TOURE: It's a tough song. She performed the heck out of it. I feel like Randy now, "You did the right song, Dawg."
BOROWITZ: It is hard. I have sung "I'm Every Woman" many times, and it never really hits it.
BRYANT: I know. She...
TOURE: Also great, Constantine.
BRYANT: Constantine is...
TOURE: I like Constantine. He can really perform.
BRYANT: Last night, I think he really showed that he has a chance to win this, although I thought he looked a little bloated. I don't know. His face, you know, I am a fan. I don't know if some of these people are living a little hard now that the pressure is on. Some of them looked a little puffy this week, that's all.
TOURE: And let's go to, of course, what you're waiting for, the wackiest one of the night.
BRYANT: Yes.
TOURE: Thankfully Karyn and I agree.
BRYANT: Yes.
TOURE: Anthony, oh, my god! He looks like a light bulb. He dances like one, too. He's completely insipid.
COSTELLO: Oh!
TOURE: He's just howling. He's not singing.
BRYANT: He is so green.
TOURE: Yelling loud is not singing.
BRYANT: Yes.
COSTELLO: Actually, that's what Simon... BRYANT: You would (INAUDIBLE) if that were on.
TOURE: No.
COSTELLO: That's what Simon called him last night, insipid.
TOURE: Insipid.
BRYANT: Yes.
BOROWITZ: I think that means he's got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame coming up.
COSTELLO: Right. Right next to Bill Hemmer, Lassie and then it's him. I'm just kidding. I'm kidding.
You can see Karyn Bryant, by the way, and A.J. Hammer every night on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." Tonight, they talk to actress Pamela Anderson about her new TV show, "Stacked." That's on Headline News at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, with replays at 10:00 p.m. and midnight.
Thanks to Andy, Karyn and Toure.
I'm exhausted, Bill. Back to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: You'll get your Costello. Oh, yes.
An online trading company has a bit of explaining to do, namely how a misplaced data tape put hundreds of thousand of customers at risk for I.D. theft.
Andy explains after the break.
Come on over here Carol.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Here's Andy, "Minding Your Business," checking on the markets first.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Indeed, Bill.
Markets dancing all around. We'll have to look at the Big Board, see what's going on. Up 8 here, Yahoo! and Intel leading the way in the markets this morning. Ameritrade has an I.D. theft problem. They've notified 200,000 of their customers out of 3.7 million customers that their identities may have been compromised. A tape got lost in transit. We have the letter that they sent out to their customers. "We sincerely apologize for this unusual event and any discomfort it may cause you." I usually thought discomfort referred to a physical malady, but...
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: That's what you get when you have a colonoscopy. SERWER: Yes, it's a physical discomfort.
Maybe there's a metaphor here.
And then quickly, just an endnote here, Ford Taurus apparently will be no more as of early 2006. Ford is going to be ending that model. Goes back to 1986. Most popular car in the 1990s, between '92 and '97. Published reports say this is going to be happening. 6.7 million sold. The car's made in Atlanta, where they employ 2,000 workers there. And no word on what's going to happen to that plant or those employees.
HEMMER: But they'll have another car.
SERWER: The jellybean shaped Ford Taurus. Yes, there's a new Ford Fusion coming around.
HEMMER: Thanks, Andy.
SERWER: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: Time now for Jack.
CAFFERTY: Final episode of the Question of the Day, which is, what does the new pope have to do to unite the Catholic Church? Nick in Pennsylvania says, "Social issues are media pablum (ph). Change didn't get the catholic church through 21 centuries, the holy spirit did. Let us embrace the separation of church and media."
Allen in Tennessee writes, "How can anyone unite a church that has a fundamental precept, subordinates women as second-class citizens?" Signed Carol Costello.
COSTELLO: Amen, Allen.
CAFFERTY: And Paul in Oklahoma City writes this, "Habemus Papam Rutilus Civitas -- we have a red state pope."
SERWER: Wow, in Latin.
CAFFERTY: In Latin. Fabulous responses today.
Good stuff. Good stuff. Smart people were off yesterday, but they watched this morning.
HEMMER: They're back.
COSTELLO: We'll be right back as well.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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