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Pope Benedict Celebrates Mass at St. Patrick's

Aired April 19, 2008 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): To the Father is (ph) mine. For this reason, I told you that we'll take from what is mine and declare it to you. The Gospel of the Lord.

AUDIENCE (singing): Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And this is the point where Pope Benedict XVI will deliver his homily. Essentially, it's his message to those attending.

POPE BENEDICT XVI: Dear brothers and sisters, (INAUDIBLE) I greet all of you who represent (INAUDIBLE) the men and women (INAUDIBLE) United States. (INAUDIBLE) expressed in your name as I begin (INAUDIBLE). I am happy (INAUDIBLE) who have been chosen by the lord, who have answered his call, and to devote your lives to the pursuit of holiness, the spirit of the gospel, and the building up of the church in peace, hope and love.

(INAUDIBLE), how can we not think of the countless men and women who have been before us. (INAUDIBLE) for the growth of the church in the United States and left us a lasting legacy of faith and good works.

Into this first reading we saw how in the power of the Holy Spirit the apostles (were forced from the upper room (ph) to proclaim God's mighty people of every nation and tongue. In this count, the church's mission has always involved (INAUDIBLE) people from every nation under heaven into spirit and unity. And in the (INAUDIBLE) body of Christ (INAUDIBLE).

As we give thanks for these past blessings and look to the challenges of the future, let us implore from God's grace of a new (INAUDIBLE) for the church in America. May times of fire, combining burning love of God and neighbor with zeal (ph) for this (INAUDIBLE) Christ kingdom descend on us all present.

In this morning's second reading (INAUDIBLE) spiritual unity. The unity which reconciles (INAUDIBLE) adversity has its origins in Supreme model in the life of supreme God. As a communion of (INAUDIBLE) and infinite freedom, the blessed unity constantly brings forth new life in the work of creation and redemption.

The church is (INAUDIBLE) of people made one as unity of the father, the son and the spirit. It's called to proclaim the gift of life, to serve life, and to promote a culture of life. Here, in this cathedral, (INAUDIBLE). The proclamation of life, life in abundance, must (INAUDIBLE), for true life or salvation can only been found in the reconciliation, freedom and love, which are God's precious, gracious gifts.

This is the message of hope we are called to proclaim, and (INAUDIBLE) in a world where self-centeredness, (INAUDIBLE) violence and cynicism often seems to choke the (INAUDIBLE) of grace in people's hearts. (INAUDIBLE) great insight, understand there's a command which Moses (INAUDIBLE) upon the people of Israel -- choose life. The ultimate reason for obedience to all God's commandments.

Perhaps we have lost sight of this. In a society that church sees legalistic and (INAUDIBLE) to many people, our most urgent challenge is to communicate the joy borne of faith and the experience of God's love.

I am particularly happy to be at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Perhaps more than any other church in the United States, this place is known and loved as a house of prayer for all peoples. Each day, thousands of men, women and children enter the doors and find peace within these walls.

Archbishop (INAUDIBLE), who as Cardinal Egan has reminded us, was responsible for building (INAUDIBLE). He wanted this cathedral to remind the young church in America of the great spiritual tradition to which it was here, and to inspire it to bring the best of the heritage to the building of Christ's body in this land.

I would like to draw your attention to a few aspects of this beautiful structure. It can serve as a starting point for the reflection of particular locations within the unity of the mystical (ph) body.

The first has to do with the stained glass windows which (INAUDIBLE) the interior of this mystic light. From the outside, these windows are dark, heavy, (INAUDIBLE). But as one enters the church, they certainly come alive, reflecting the light passing through them to reveal all their spender.

(INAUDIBLE) have used the image of stained glass to illustrate the mystery of the church herself. It is only from the inside, from the experience of faith in the Christian life, that you see the church as she truly is through (INAUDIBLE) splendid beauty, adorned by many of her gifts of the spirit.

It follows that we who live the life of (INAUDIBLE) are called to draw people into this mystery of life. This is no easy task in a world which can tend to look at the church like those stained glass windows from the outside, a world which (INAUDIBLE). It finds it difficult to enter into the mystery (ph) of the church.

Even for those of us within (INAUDIBLE) can be dimmed by (INAUDIBLE). And the splendor of the church (INAUDIBLE) as the sins and weaknesses of her members. It can be due do -- by the upsets encountered in a society which sometimes seems to have forgotten God until (INAUDIBLE) demands of Christian morality. You who have devoted your lives to bearing witness to love of Christ and the building (ph) of his body now from your daily contact with the world around us, how tempting it is at times to give way to frustration, disappointment, and even pessimistic about the future.

In a word, it is not always easy to see the light of the spirit all about us, the splendor of the lord illuminating our lives, and (INAUDIBLE) renewed hope in this victory over the world. Yet the word of God reminds us that (INAUDIBLE) we see the heavens opened and the (INAUDIBLE) Holy Spirit lighting up the church and bringing sure hope to our world.

Oh, Lord, my God, (INAUDIBLE) when you send for the spirit they are created, and you (INAUDIBLE). These words (INAUDIBLE) the first creation when the spirit of God (INAUDIBLE) and to look forward to the new creation (INAUDIBLE), when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. And the (INAUDIBLE) church is the first roots of a redeemed humanity.

(INAUDIBLE) a deeper faith in God's infinite power to transform every human situation to create life from death until even the darkest night. (INAUDIBLE) where the church is, carries the spirit of God. The Spirit of God is (INAUDIBLE) church. Like all other cathedrals it is a highly complex structure whose exact and harmonious (INAUDIBLE) symbolizes the unity of God's creation.

Medieval artists often portrayed Christ, the created word of God, as heavenly (INAUDIBLE) who (INAUDIBLE) purpose. Does this not bring to mind our need to see all things in the eyes of faith? And just to grasp the truth and perspective into unity of God's eternal life?

This requires, as we know, constant conversion, and the commitment to acquiring a fresh spiritual way of thinking. It also calls for the cultivation of such virtues which enable each of us to grow in holiness and to be a spiritual fruit within our particular state of life.

It's not this ongoing intellectual conversion as necessary as moral conversion for our own growth in faith, a (INAUDIBLE) signs of the times and our personal contribution to the church's life and mission. For all of us, one of the greatest appointments which follows the (INAUDIBLE) with its call for a great engagement in the church's mission to the world has been the experience of division between groups, different generations, different members of the same religious family.

We can only move forward if we turn our gifts (ph) together to Christ. In the light of faith we will send this (INAUDIBLE) wisdom and strengths needed to open ourselves to a point of view which may not necessarily conform to our own ideas or assumptions.

(INAUDIBLE) we can (INAUDIBLE) the perspectives of others, whether young or older than ourselves, and ultimately hear what the spirit is saying to us and to the church. In this way, we will move together to have a true spirit of renewal, (INAUDIBLE), a renewal which can only strengthen the church in that holiness and unity (INAUDIBLE) for the effective proclamation of the Gospel (INAUDIBLE).

(INAUDIBLE) and purpose rooted in the (INAUDIBLE) spirit of constant conversion and self-sacrifice the secret of the impressive growth of the church in this country. We need to think of the remarkable accomplishments that (INAUDIBLE) American priests (INAUDIBLE) to the establishment of the Knights of Columbus, or the legacy of generations of (INAUDIBLE) and priests who quietly devoted their lives to serving the people of God in countless (INAUDIBLE).

Here, within the context of our need for perspective given by faith and for unity and cooperation in the work of building up the church, I will say a word about the sexual abuse that has caused so much suffering. I have already has an occasion to speak of this and the (INAUDIBLE) damage to the community of the faithful.

Here, I simply wish to assure you (INAUDIBLE) of my spiritual closeness and to strive to reform Christian hope to the continuing challenges that the situation presents. I join you in praying that this will be a time of purification for each particular church and religious community, and a time for healing.

And I also encourage you to cooperate with your bishops who continue to work (INAUDIBLE) to resolve this issue. May our Lord Jesus Christ (INAUDIBLE) the church in America a renewed sense of unity and purpose, us all -- bishops, clergy, religious laity. (INAUDIBLE) in hope, for truth and for one another.

Dear friends, these considerations lead me to a final observation about this great cathedral in which we find ourselves the unity (INAUDIBLE), but the unity borne of (INAUDIBLE) of diverse forces which (INAUDIBLE) to heaven. Here, too, we can see a symbol of the church's unity, which is the unity that St. Paul had told us of a living body composed of many different members, each with its own rule and purpose.

Here, too, we see our need to acknowledge the reverence, the gifts of each individual member of the body as manifestations of the spirit given for the good of all. Certainly the (INAUDIBLE) church has (INAUDIBLE) to restructure (INAUDIBLE). Yet, the variety (ph) and richness of the graces is (INAUDIBLE) constantly to discern how (INAUDIBLE) are to be rightly ordered into service of the church's mission.

You, dear priests, (INAUDIBLE). You, dear deacons, have been ordained for the service of (INAUDIBLE). You, the men and women (INAUDIBLE) have devoted your lives to following the (INAUDIBLE) and generous love and complete devotion to his gospel.

All of you who fill this cathedral today, as well as your retired, elder, and brothers and sisters, who unite in prayers and sacrifices to your labors, all, are called to be forces of unity within Christ's body. (INAUDIBLE) entrusted to you. You prepare a path for the spirit, for the spirit never ceases to pour out his abundant gifts (INAUDIBLE) and to guide the church as our lord promised in this morning's gospel into the fullness of truth.

So let us lift our (INAUDIBLE) on this great (INAUDIBLE). Let us ask the spirit to enable us each day to grow in the holiness that will make us living stones in the temple, which is even now raising up in the midst of our world.

If we are to be true forces of unity, let us be the first to seek s each day to grow in the holiness that will make us living stones in the temple, which is even now raising up in the midst of our world. If we are to be true forces of unity, let us be the first to seek inner reconciliation through penance. Let us forget the wrongs we have suffered and put aside all (INAUDIBLE). Let us be the first to demonstrate the humility and purity of (INAUDIBLE) which are required to approach the splendor of God's (INAUDIBLE).

(INAUDIBLE), let us be joyful witnesses of the transforming power of the gospel.

Dear brothers and sisters, (INAUDIBLE) church in this country, may it also be (INAUDIBLE) the poor, the homeless, the stranger, and all who suffer. As (INAUDIBLE) and encouraging young people to discover the beauty of life given completely to the lord and his church.

I make this (INAUDIBLE) all of you have a special part placed in my heart. Never forget that you are called to carry on with (INAUDIBLE) that the spirit has given you. Our work that others have begun (INAUDIBLE) one day you, too, will pass to a new generation. Work generously and joyfully, for he whom you serve is the lord (INAUDIBLE). Yet, in the heart of this (INAUDIBLE) there are vivid reminders of the constant yearning of the human spirit to rise to God.

As we celebrate this Eucharist, let us thank to the lord for allowing us to know him in the communion of the church, to cooperate in building up his mystical body, and in bringing his saving word to the men and women of our time. And then (INAUDIBLE) this great church, let us go forth as heralds of hope and (INAUDIBLE), and also (INAUDIBLE) placed us.

In this way, the church in America will know a new springtime in the spirit, and (INAUDIBLE). For God is ever now preparing for all people a banquet of an ending joy and life.

Amen.

NGUYEN: And that was Pope Benedict XVI delivering his homily, which is essentially a message to the clergy celebrating this mass. And what a roaring applause they are giving him.

John Allen joins me now with some analysis of what we just heard from the pope.

And this is a pope who's really urging people to act as beacons of hope, as he put it.

JOHN ALLEN, CNN SR. VATICAN ANALYST: That's right. I think if you did a sort of text analysis of this homily, the two words that would just jump off the page at you are "joy" and "hope."

And you know, Betty, when this pope was elected exactly three years ago, exactly three years ago...

NGUYEN: To this day.

ALLEN: ... today, he had a reputation of a bit of a heavy. You know, he was seen as the church's enforcer, its top disciplinarian. But I think in some way that was the nature of his Vatican job.

What we've seen over these three years is the real man emerge. And a real man understands that people are not attracted to a church that is divided and that is angry. They're attracted to a church that offers them a reason to live -- joy and hope. And that was very much his message here this morning.

NGUYEN: So he's gone from being the disciplinarian to a pope of hope?

ALLEN: That's right. That's right. He is now the pope of hope.

NGUYEN: Of hope.

ALLEN: Yes.

NGUYEN: Well, you know, another thing that he said, too, which I found really telling, he talked a lot about the symbolism inside St. Patrick's Cathedral, and really got into the specifics of America and the roots of this country.

ALLEN: That's right. I mean, you saw the pope, for example, quoting Nathaniel Hawthorne. You saw the pope also making a reference to Father Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus, which is the largest lay Catholic organization in the United States and, for that matter, one of the largest lay Catholic movements anywhere in the world.

So, very much trying to make clear that he understands the great riches of American tradition and of American Catholic tradition.

NGUYEN: This is a pope who understands America.

And he also talked about the sex abuse scandal. I guess sending the message once again that he hears you and he understands.

ALLEN: Yes, that's right. This, of course, is now the fifth time that Benedict XVI did so.

POPE BENEDICT XVI: Let us turn to God our father in prayer.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and for our cardinals and bishops, that the holy spirit will guide them with wisdom and strength to proclaim the gospel of Christ to the world in truth and in love.

Let us pray to the lord.

(SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

NGUYEN: We're hearing spoken in foreign languages at this point. But part of this particular section of the mass, we'll be heading into the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Talk to us about the significance of that, John.

ALLEN: It's truly from a spiritual point of view, the supreme moment of mass, because this is the time in which the pope and the other priests who are celebrating will say the prayers that lead up to that moment where Catholics believe the bread and wine become physically the body and the blood of Jesus Christ, the physical presence of Christ among them. And, of course, Catholics will be receiving that presence of Christ in the form of communion at the end of the liturgy and the Eucharist.

NGUYEN: And the Catholics to be able to take communion at a mass where the pope has celebrated with them has to be extremely significant in their lives.

ALLEN: Oh, it will be the moment of these people's lives, for sure.

NGUYEN: You are watching Pope Benedict XVI here at St. Patrick's Cathedral. It is an historic visit.

We are covering it live, and there is much more to come.

Stay with CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: They're going toward the end of the prayer.

Back here live at St. Patrick's Cathedral in the heart of Manhattan. We are observing the Prayer of the Faithful.

John Allen, a CNN Vatican analyst, joins me now.

And John, when we listen to this, it was said in many different languages, and there's a significance in that.

ALLEN: Yes, that's right. It's intended to symbolize the diversity of the church in America. And for that matter, the diversity of the church here in the city of New York.

You know, every Sunday in this city, mass is said in about 35 or so different languages because of all the different cultures and all the different people who are here. And of course, the point of the mass is to bring all of that diversity, bring it together and then put it in the presence of God.

NGUYEN: Which really gets to the pope's message of unity.

ALLEN: Exactly. That's the pope's message of unity.

NGUYEN: And also for those non-Catholics who are watching, talk to us about the importance and the meaning of the Prayer of the Faithful.

ALLEN: Well, obviously, the part of the purpose of mass is to bring the experience of your life, those day-to-day sufferings and those day-to-day joys and the deepest desires of your heart, and sort of bring them to God. And so the Prayers of the Faithful, they are literally the prayers of the faithful people of God who are gathered here today to celebrate.

And it's one of the more, if you like, sort of the topical moments in the mass, because often Catholics will bring not only their personal struggles, but also the broader struggles of the world. People will pray for peace. They will pray for justice for the poor. They'll pray for care for the environment.

You know, whatever happens to be happening in the world from a faith point of view, you want to bring that before God and pray that God will hear you.

NGUYEN: And from here we will enter into the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which really is an important part of today's celebration.

ALLEN: It's really the heart of this celebration. You see here what we're seeing is the Presentation of the Gifts. The gifts being the bread and the wine that will be placed upon the altar. And then as Catholics believe, through the prayers to be recited by the pope and the other bishops and priests who are celebrating the mass here today, that they will become the physical presence of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

And then during communion, Catholics will actually receive that into their own bodies. The fourth and fifth century great Catholic saints, Saint Augustine, used to say that you become that which you consume. In other words, by consuming Jesus Christ into you, that you will somehow be configured to Christ, you will take on the spirit of Christ, the heart of Christ, and become a better Christian yourself. That is -- that, of course, is the prayer and the hope with which people will be taking part in the celebration.

NGUYEN: And while serving communion to some 3,000 inside St. Patrick's Cathedral at this hour seems like quite a daunting task -- it's a lot of people -- it really pales in comparison, John, to what will be happening tomorrow at Yankee Stadium.

ALLEN: That's right. And, of course, you know, the Vatican is no stranger to big-scale table liturgies. And I've actually been in masses in Poland, for example, where in the space of about 15 minutes they managed to distribute communion to 2.5 million people. So...

NGUYEN: How is that possible? ALLEN: Well, you have an army of priests and deacons in the field. This opener mass in Krakow in 2003, for example, I think there was something like 13,000 priests that were distributing communion. So, to do it for a crowd of 3,000 is, you know, by comparison a relatively simple (INAUDIBLE).

NGUYEN: And to receive communion, especially during this historic visit, and by this pope, this being the exact day to the anniversary of becoming elected pope, is really a wonderful occasion for Catholics attending this.

ALLEN: Sure. You know, Betty, those who cover the pope all the time, I think we get accustomed to papal liturgies. But the context we have for these people, this is the experience of a lifetime.

NGUYEN: Without a doubt.

And as we continue to watch it live here, there is much more coverage of the pope's visit to the U.S. and of this celebration of mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in the heart of Manhattan.

You're watching CNN. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: We are live at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan covering the pope's first trip to America. In fact, this is the first time any pope has celebrated mass inside this cathedral -- John.

ALLEN: That's right. So it's the leader of the universal church celebrating mass inside the preeminent symbol of the American Catholic church.

NGUYEN: And at this point we are preparing to watch the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which is a very sacred moment in this mass.

ALLEN: That's right. It's the supreme moment of the mass when the prayers will be recited that transform the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.

Let's listen now.

NGUYEN: As we're watching the mass being celebrated here at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Preparation of the Gifts is what year seeing at this moment.

John Allen joins me now live with the importance behind this.

ALLEN: Well, the gifts, of course, are the bread and wine that in just a few short moments Catholics believe will be transformed into the body and blood of Christ. You saw the pope incensing the altar. That is, walking around, making sure that the incense which represents the kind of -- a scent of the soul to God as a way for preparing for this supremely holy moment during the Catholic mass.

POPE BENEDICT XVI: Lord, we celebrate this memorial of the life of your son. May (INAUDIBLE) bring salvation to the world through the ministry of your church. We ask this through Christ our lord.

AUDIENCE: Amen.

POPE BENEDICT XVI: Lord, we celebrate this -- may he see and -- to the salvation (ph) of the world to the ministry of your church. We ask you through Christ our lord.

AUDIENCE: Amen.

POPE BENEDICT XVI (singing): The lord be with you.

AUDIENCE (singing): And also with you.

POPE BENEDICT XVI (singing): Lift up your hearts.

AUDIENCE (singing): With him lift them up to the lord.

POPE BENEDICT XVI (singing): Let us give thanks to the lord our God.

AUDIENCE (singing): It is right to give him thanks and praise

POPE BENEDICT XVI: Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always (INAUDIBLE) near to give you strength through Jesus Christ our lord. We praise you with greater joy than ever in this Easter season, when Christ became our (INAUDIBLE) sacrifice.

In him a new age has dawned. (INAUDIBLE) the long reign of sin has ended. A broken world has been renewed. And man is once again made whole. The joy of the resurrection renews the whole world, while the choirs of heaven sing forever to your glory.

(SINGING)

POPE BENEDICT XVI: (INAUDIBLE) in Thanksgiving, through Jesus Christ, your son. Through him we ask to you accept these blessed gifts we offer you. We offer them for your holy Catholic Church.

Watch over us lord and guide us. Grant us peace and unity throughout the world. (INAUDIBLE) of this church of New York, and for all who hold and keep the (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Remember, Lord, your people, especially those for whom we now pray. Remember all of us gathered here before you.

You know how firmly we believe in you and dedicate ourselves to you. We offer you this sacrifice of praise for ourselves and for those who are dear to us. We pray to you, our living and true God, for our well being and redemption.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In union with the whole church, we honor Mary, the ever- virgin mother of Jesus Christ, our lord and God. We honor Joseph, her husband, the apostles and martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon, and Jude. We honor Linus (ph), (INAUDIBLE), John and Paul, (INAUDIBLE), and all the saints. May their merits and prayers gain us your constant help and protection.

POPE BENEDICT XVI: Father (INAUDIBLE), grant us your peace in this life. (INAUDIBLE).

When supper was ended, he took the cup. Again, he gave thanks and praise (INAUDIBLE).

POPE BENEDICT XVI: Father, we celebrate the memory of Christ, your son. We, your people and your ministers, recall his (INAUDIBLE), his resurrection from the dead, and his ascension into glory. And from the many gifts (INAUDIBLE).

Almighty God, we pray that your angel may take this sacrifice to your altar in heaven. Then, as we receive from this altar the sacred body and blood of your son, let us be filled with every grace and blessing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Remember, Lord, those who have died and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, especially those for whom we now pray. May these and all who sleep in Christ find in your presence light, happiness and peace.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For ourselves, too, we ask some share in the fellowship of your apostles and martyrs, with John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia and all the saints.

Though we are sinners, we trust in your mercy and love. Do not consider what we truly deserve, but grant us your forgiveness through Christ our lord.

POPE BENEDICT XVI: Through him you give us all these gifts. You fill them with life and goodness, you bless and make them holy.

(SINGING)

POPE BENEDICT XVI: Deliver us, God, from evil and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ.

(singing): For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

POPE BENEDICT XVI: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom. May you live for ever and ever.

AUDIENCE: Amen.

POPE BENEDICT XVI: The peace of the lord will always be with you.

AUDIENCE: And also with you. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Back now live inside St. Patrick's Cathedral as we have watched them do the Liturgy of the Eucharist and now offering the sign of peace. This is one of the portions of mass where a lot of people really enjoying getting to reach out to their fellow Catholics.

ALLEN: Yes, that's exactly right. It's one of the few moments of interaction with the other people with whom you're worshipping.

And of course the principle here is that before you receive communion with God, you should also be in communion with one another. So resolve any differences, put those aside, so that you can come together as one people and receive the presence of Christ in the form of the Eucharist.

Eucharist, of course, is a great word which means thanksgiving. So, giving thanks to God for his presence among us.

NGUYEN: And from here they will begin delivering that communion. And as we were talking, John, it's very interesting, because while this is very much a production, it's also something that is very practiced, and that's something they even have had some dress rehearsals as well.

ALLEN: Yes, that's exactly right. The Vatican actually has an advance for papal trips, and they will come to the country of focus, visiting at least two times, sometimes more. And one of the things they will do is to organize a kind of walkthrough for the masses, and obviously the local archdiocese will do that as well, so that all of the priests and deacons you now see fanning out throughout the cathedral to distribute communion know exactly where they're going, exactly which sections of the cathedral they're responsible for.

Because the point, Betty, is that you don't want the logistics getting in the way of the spiritual experience. You know, you want it to go flawlessly so people can concentrate on the deep spiritual dimension of gathering for mass.

NGUYEN: And this communion being 3,000 in attendance, but tomorrow, the mass at Yankee Stadium, we're talking about some 57,000 people receiving communion.

ALLEN: That's absolutely right. And there will be an army of about 530 priests or so who will fan out throughout that stadium. And believe me, they all know precisely where they're going and precisely what they're going to be doing. And it will come off without a hitch.

I mean, it's almost one of the miracles of this experience, if you think about what a logistically complicated enterprise this whole trip is. But even the isolated pieces of it, masses like this, it is always amazing to me how seamless things seem to work.

NGUYEN: It truly it is. So how much in advance do they have to practice communion with that many people? ALLEN: Well, typically, you know, the Vatican will announce that the pope is coming to a particular country, say, six months in advance. That is the informal announcement will be made.

And once you get the confirmation the pope is coming, really, from that day forward you begin in earnest the preparations. And they will have done a walkthrough for this liturgy at least three or four times. Again, just to make sure that everyone knows where they're going, what they're doing.

NGUYEN: And this is just one of the many events on the pope's agenda. He really has a full card of things to do while in the U.S.

Later today he is going to be going to St. Joseph's Seminary. There he'll be speaking with young people and blessing the disabled.

ALLEN: Yes, that's exactly right. So you heard the pope talk during his homily today about the needs for the church to reach out to the suffering, to those on the margins. And that meeting with disabled persons this afternoon is one way of the pope doing that himself, providing the example of what he'd like the rest of the church to be about. And then, of course, his outreach to young persons this afternoon.

NGUYEN: Some 25,000?

ALLEN: That's right. Is in a way a logical continuation of this mass. I mean, this mass is for those who have already made the commitment to priesthood and religious life. This afternoon in a way he will be talking to, if you like, the (INAUDIBLE). You know, the potential future of priests and religious...

NGUYEN: So is he recruiting this afternoon?

ALLEN: Well, he's not recruiting in the same way that, say, the Army might, or McDonald's. Because there are a variety of locations in the church. It's not the only way to serve God, is to be a priest or a nun. Obviously anyone can in their own way, but clearly he does want to invite these young people to be generous in their service, and certainly would be hoping that some of them will respond to invitation to a vocation as a priest or a sister.

NGUYEN: How bad is the shortage within the priesthood?

ALLEN: Well, it is serious, although in the United States there have been slight upticks in vocations in recent years. But it's nevertheless the case that an increasing number of parishes in the United States do not have a full-time priest.

Parishes have had to be clustered. That is, they've had to combine in order to keep themselves going, because there aren't enough priests to staff all of them. So it is a serious problem, although, you know, it's worth repeating that it is not actually as bad in the United States or in Europe as it is in many other parts of the world.

In the United States, there is one priest for every 1,300 Catholics. In Africa, it's one to 4,000. In Latin-American, it's one to 8,000. In Southeast Asia, it's one to 9,000.

So this is very much a global problem.

NGUYEN: John, you've covered Pope John Paul II, now Pope Benedict XVI. When it comes to his message to young people, is that something that truly resonates? After you see him go and speak, and then he leaves and he goes back to the Vatican, or to other places around the world, does that message really stay with the young people there?

ALLEN: Absolutely, I think it does. You can find a whole generation of priests today, young priests who consider themselves John Paul priests.

(SINGING)