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CNN Sunday Morning
Pennsylvania Primary; Pope's Ground Zero Prayer Service; Wildfire Warnings
Aired April 20, 2008 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: Good morning everyone. A live look, this morning, from inside Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, in New York. And in 5-1/2 hours Pope Benedict XVI will be presiding over a huge mass at this stadium. Right now thousands of people are being allowed inside the stadium from all across the country, excited to be here for this historic mass.
And good morning to you all from inside Yankee stadium, I'm T.J. Holmes.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: And good morning, everybody, I'm Betty Nguyen, also in New York and I'll be joining T.J. at Yankee Stadium a little bit later today for CNN's coverage of the pope's mass. But first this hour, the pope will be visiting sacred ground, that being Ground Zero. We'll bring that to you live, just ahead on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
HOLMES: All right, Betty, thank you very much. We do begin with the pope's visit. In less than 30 minutes from right now, Pope Benedict XVI will hold a prayer service at Ground Zero. Our Richard Roth is there live for us this morning.
Richard, with me this morning, the pope's whole trip has been full of ecclesiastical pageantry, but this morning will be a lot different, a lot more solemn event this morning.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Who was that? Yes, hi, T.J., we are looking at pictures at Ground Zero here of various dignitaries waiting for the arrival of the pope. We are being kept further away and thus we are trying to identify as people arrive. This is not going to be like an anniversary of 9/11 where all of the family members come. They had to be selected in a lottery. So, there will only be 20 families represented, here. The pope will descend into the bedrock of Ground Zero, kneel, light a candle, say a silent prayer for the families and he will be talking about peace and talking about the victims, but it will be a very short, brief, solemn ceremony. And I discussed the event with New York City police commissioner Raymond Kelly, yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAYMOND W KELLY, NYC POLICE COMMISSIONER: Ground zero, I think it means a lot to the city. You know, we had thousands of people killed, there. We had police officers, firefighters in great numbers killed there. So, it means a lot to the first responders and it means a lot to the city. ROTH: What is your opinion of the pope offering a prayer for the terrorists?
KELLY: Well, you know, the pope is concerned about world peace and I think that's what he is -- and every pope is attempting to facilitate that. So, I see nothing unusual about that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: Nearly 3,000 people died here on 9/11, which was a beautiful day. Today, gray and cold, a beautiful day in the sky, then blue skies, not a cloud around, a very chill wind here. There will be some cries in the air and it's going to be from protesters here, people upset at the pope for the sexual abuse scandal. They are being kept further away, now. They've been moved back further from the perimeter of the Ground Zero area. But otherwise, this will probably be, no doubt, the most solemn stop of the pope's visit to Washington and New York City here, at Ground Zero -- T.J..
HOLMES: All right, thank you very much, Richard Roth this morning. Indeed, it will be a lot different from what we have been seeing from the pope's visit.
And in about 20 minutes, I'll be talking to Father Jim Martin; he consoled many of those firefighters, police, other first responders at Ground Zero shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He will be joining me here live inside the stadium. And as I mentioned earlier, the gates of Yankee Stadium now open for people attending today's papal mass. And yes, even though the mass is still some 5-1/2 hours away, people are starting to file in. We can see them all around us now, people starting to find their seat. They will be here for quite some time. You can watch it live here on CNN beginning at 2:00 Eastern, that mass being celebrated at 2:30 Eastern Time. As you see there, yes, in fact, it's 9:00 here on the East Coast. That mass at 2:30, but people are already starting to file in.
Now, we will bring this mass to you, of course, live, but bringing it into your home, when you see it on TV it might not look like that tough of a job, but we assure you it is not nearly as easy as it looks.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): While there is, of course, just one pope, he's followed by some 6,000 journalists covering his every move in the U.S. After getting their credentials and background checks, someone has to coordinate all of their demands, everything from location where reporters can go live, to parking spaces designated for satellite trucks. Seems like it would take some team to keep it all straight. Meet the team.
MARK KRAMER, PAPAL MEDIA COORDINATOR: I have a very small team. You're looking at it.
HOLMES: Mark Kramer is it, a retired producer tapped by CBS to run the show. Perhaps his greatest challenge is pulling together the resources of 23 different broadcast outlets.
KRAMER: But the difference here is that the people the who established this pool are a very large number. Normally, I deal with five networks. In the old days it was four, before that it was three. But now we are talking 23. So when we get on a pool phone call, there are 23 disparate opinions about how we should do this or that and it makes it a challenge.
HOLMES: This is another of his major challenges -- Yankee Stadium, the center piece of the pope's trip where 60,000 people are expected to attend Sunday mass.
KRAMER: Because it takes a large production crew to work there, we have a lot of people to organize and coordinate and we have to deal with security issues. And they are incredible.
HOLMES: Kramer says many security issues are not necessarily unique to New York, rather part of the post-9/11 world.
KRAMER: It's just the level of care that the security forces are making to make sure that everything goes smoothly. We have to jump through hoops six or seven times. In the old days, yes, you'd get magged (ph) and fine, you've got your badge, you're gone. But, it's a different story now and it makes everything we do, everything we do harder.
HOLMES: Things are a bit harder also for security officials, but not just because it's the pope, but because of the pope's schedule.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean, we do an awful lot when heads of state are here. I think the pope is -- the itinerary is somewhat different. There are three days of events, there are many events and there's a lot of public exposure.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: And just to tell you all what you have been looking at, here on our screen, a live picture, there, as we were seeing, as the event at Ground Zero gets going. Pope Benedict expected down there in just a moment. He will bless the ground. You're seeing there the governor of New York there, Governor Paterson on the left, Governor Corzine of New Jersey in the middle, there, and New York mayor Michael Bloomberg on the right taking place in really the most solemn event of the pope's visit, his first visit to the U.S.
This much different today, this event we will see at Ground Zero from the rest you have been seeing where he's been greeted by cheering crowds, actually meeting some family members of those who died on 9/11, just about two dozen or so, also some first responders.
So, we'll keep and eye on that event, there. But back here at Yankee Stadium, the mass where he will be greeted by tens of thousands of people, up to 60,000, that begins at 2:00 Eastern Time. And at the bottom of the hour, we are going to take you back live to Ground Zero for the pope's blessing ceremony. So Betty, another busy day for the pope. It's much different, the two events, really, the one you're having this morning and then the way, of course, that we've been saying he's greeted like a rock star in some ways, he certainly will be greeted like that when some 60,000, here, cheer him when he comes into Yankee Stadium.
NGUYEN: A lot on the agenda, today. All right, T.J. we'll be checking in with you very shortly.
In the meantime, I do want to switch gears now to the other big story this morning, and that being the Pennsylvania primary, now just two days away and that has the candidates scrambling to reach as many voters as possible before Tuesday's critical vote. CNN's Mary Snow joins us now live from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, this morning.
Mary, Hillary Clinton will be speaking where you're at in just a few hours in Bethlehem, but what do you expect to hear from her on this last push through Pennsylvania?
MARY SNOW, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Betty, you know, she's really trying to make the point that she's the person with the most experience that could take over as president and commander-in-chief on day-one. So, we expect to hear a kind of a theme that she was sounding yesterday, also taking jabs at her opponent, Senator Barack Obama, saying that, you know, he had intended to have a very positive campaign but that, he's gotten increasingly negative. She also made a point, yesterday, of saying, you know, we have to look beyond what she called "whoop-de-doo" speeches, saying that there are so many challenges ahead that need to be really focused on.
Now, for his part, Senator Obama has been trying to paint Senator Clinton as a Washington insider, more of the same politics, in his word. And he also was sounding a theme yesterday saying that she is throwing everything in the kitchen sink at him and he called it "slash and burn politics." His message has been, look, you can have change with me, and he's appealing to the people of Pennsylvania. He is behind in the polls, and both of these candidates are really scrambling at this point in these last get out the vote efforts.
And you know, Betty, this has really been such an unusual situation because this primary season, here in Pennsylvania, has been six weeks long, so this really coming to a pivotal moment, now, in these final two days before Tuesday's primary.
NGUYEN: Yes, we have waited quite some time to see Pennsylvania go to the polls. All right, thank you, Mary.
And you can join RICK ON THE ROAD, tonight. CNN's Rick Sanchez will be live in Philadelphia for a two hour special on the Pennsylvania primary. He will talk with the state's top political movers and shakers, also just regular folks in coffee shops around the state about this key contest. That's RICK ON THE ROAD, tonight from 10:00 until Midnight Eastern Time.
So, while Senator Clinton is a head in the polls, Senator Obama is gaining momentum. Be sure to tune in to CNN's election center Tuesday night. The best political team on television will be bringing you results as they happen.
Want to bring you this now though, wildfire warnings are posted today in several states. Fire crews are battling blazes in the East and out West. Two fires have consumed more than 1,000 acres in central and southern New Mexico, and they are still not under control. In Ocean County, New Jersey, a brush fire charred about 754 acres before crews could get it contained. Let's get the latest on the fire danger today, Reynolds Wolf joins us from the Sever Weather Center.
Any relief in sight, Reynolds?
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Not much. Maybe a little bit for New Jersey, but farther parts of the nation, it's really not going to be in the mix.
You know, Betty, anytime that you happen to have low dew points, low humidities and breezy conditions, you're going to have some issues in terms of fires. That is the situation from the U.S./Canadian border clear down to the four corners including parts of Texas. We've got red flag warnings especially in parts of the Rockies and into New Mexico. Winds expected to reach 50 miles-per-hour, so we're going to have some gusts, there.
Also, another place of concern, of course, would be in Georgia and into Florida where red flag warnings will remain in effect through a good part of the weekend.
(WEATHER REPORT)
In New York we are expecting the fog to break up, skies expected to become partly cloudy into the afternoon with high of 66 degrees. Which I know, Betty, is great news for you, because you're also going to be going to Yankee Stadium to meet up with T.J. and see an incredible event.
NGUYEN: Yeah, it's going to be spectacular and I'm just glad I'm gong to be getting out there later because I won't be freezing like T.J. is right now. It's a little chilly outside. But that's OK, it's going to be a wonderful mass and a lot of people turning out for it. Thank you, Reynolds.
WOLF: You bet.
NGUYEN: You know, there is a full court press in Pennsylvania as we talk about Democrats. They are pulling out all the stops, while John McCain, though, works on his national strategy. CNN political editor, Mark Preston, is just ahead with all of that.
Plus, the pope at Ground Zero. It's going to be an emotional ceremony. And that is just minutes away as we take a live look, right now. We have your complete coverage right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: And good morning again, everyone. We are bringing you special coverage, today, of the pope's visit to New York. What you're seeing there, live pictures from lower Manhattan, Ground Zero, where the pope is expected to arrive in just minute. Pope Benedict to actually have a blessing, there at the sight of Ground Zero where some 3,000 died in those attacks. He's not expected to make public comments there, rather he will just be there to give blessings, meeting with some of the family members of those who died there and also many of the first responders: police officers, fire officials will greet them, there as well.
Will bring you live coverage of that when the Pope does (NO AUDIO), but still people are beginning to file in already, expected to be some 60,000 people here at this mass. You can see the scene that we have here, kind of overcast, but the rain is holding off. But that is the huge stage, there, that's over diamond, the pope will actually be seated around second base is where he will be as he presides over that mass.
Well, religion a big topic today, and also politics still in the mix, as well. The presidential candidates, right now, are in Pennsylvania, they're paying attention to the millions of Catholic voters who are there who can actually make a huge difference in this election that's coming up on Tuesday.
CNN political editor Mark Preston joining us now live from Washington.
Mark, good morning to you. I will start with this Catholic vote. Many Catholics, many people, voters in general, of course, are looking at all of these candidates, have so many issues they need to decide on. Do Catholics take this opportunity, the pope is in town, the pope is in the U.S., and trying to hear something in his message that could guide them, help them make a decision about who they'd like to vote for?
MARK PRESTON, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Yeah, T.J., no question that today a lot of Catholics will be trying to discern some kind of message of the pope as he delivers mass there in Yankee Stadium, as well as the past couple of days that he's been here in the United States and some of the things he's been talking about. Not all Catholics will be keying in on his words, but certainly devout Catholics, T.J., will be trying to pick something up, something that they can take into November when they go into the polls.
HOLMES: Well, certainly the pope here, not to deliver a political message, but there's a little politics weaved into everything, it seems, these days. Let's move on to John McCain, right now. While he's still letting Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton duke it out and he is doing his own thing, right now, and doing something rather unique.
PRESTON: Yeah, he is. You know, again, as you say, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton really are shrugging it out in Pennsylvania heading into the primary. John McCain is going to go on an economic tour. Of course, he released his plan last week, talked about what he thinks can really help to cure the depression we're in, economically.
But he said he's going to go to places that presidential candidates don't normally go to, T.J. He's going to go to economically depressed communities in Alabama, in Kentucky, and in Ohio, and in Louisiana. And he's going to talk about how his plan could help lift him out of poverty.
One of the things he's going to talk about, specifically, is this reeducation plan for workers who have lost their jobs in these towns and in these communities. So, while Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are duking it out, John McCain is going to talk policy.
HOLMES: And finally here, let's do talk about those two that are duking it out. And we talked several earlier months this year about the fundraising record that Barack Obama was breaking. Well, that money is going to help him out and he is certainly putting to use, right now, in Pennsylvania. Is it going to make a difference?
PRESTON: Yeah, you know, it certainly has helped, you know, just, you know, several weeks ago Hillary Clinton, T.J., had a double digit lead over Barack Obama, you know, for the Pennsylvania primary, that has now shrunk to about five or six points. And a lot has to do with Barack Obama just really going into Pennsylvania and blanketing the air waves with television commercials. And of that, he has spent probably half or a little more than half of that just in the Philadelphia market to really push home his message, but also to criticize Hillary Clinton's plan.
So, interestingly enough, Barack Obama has closed the gap. Hillary Clinton still has the lead in Pennsylvania, but look, it's all on the table as we head into Tuesday.
HOLMES: All right, and some people say you can't go into Philadelphia, turn on the TV and not see a commercial with Barack Obama on it, so he is using that money. Mark Preston for us this morning from Washington. Buddy, always good to see you.
PRESTON: Thank you.
HOLMES: And folks, join RICK ON THE ROAD, coming your way tonight. CNN's Rick Sanchez, live in Philadelphia for a two-hour special on the Pennsylvania primary. He'll be talking with the state's top political movers and shakers and also just the regular everyday people in coffee shops about this key contest. Again, RICK ON THE ROAD, tonight 10:00 Eastern until Midnight.
Betty, things are shaping up, certainly getting going, here. You have been able to hear the music playing. Mike checks still going on, like that, but people are certainly getting in the mood, here and a really festive atmosphere starting to build already, still five hours away from that mass.
NGUYEN: It's just incredible just how excited they are to come out so early just to get in place for this historic mass, today. All right, thank you, T.J..
Hey, did you know that you are never too young to be a self-made millionaire? Even if you don't make much money? Here's how one man made it to the top by saving his pennies and making sound investments. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): Alan Corey knew at 22 exactly what he wanted his money to do.
ALAN COREY, AUTHOR, A MILLION BUCKS BY 30: I had just graduated college, was living in my mom's basement. And I said, I got the idea I wanted to be a millionaire by 30.
NGUYEN: Corey moved to New York, got a tech support job for $40,000 a year and started saving half of his earnings.
COREY: I still went out of my friends. I'd only go to the ATM one time a week. That's the way I stayed on a budget. If I had $10 in my wallet on the last day of the week, I would spend all 10, reward myself. But if I had $1.50, I'd find a way to eat off $1.50.
NGUYEN: A few years later, Corey saved enough to start investing in real estate and it paid off. He reached his million dollar goal at 28 and decided to write a book to help others get rich too.
COREY: If you start investing tomorrow, you're not going to have as much money as if you start investing today.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: That is some good advice.
Well, Pope Benedict XVI about to deliver a blessing in what many consider a very sacred place.
Also, the author of "Searching for God at Ground Zero," he's going to join us in just a few minutes to talk to us about the pope's visit to the World Trade Center site.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: For 9/11 survivors, relatives of the victims and much of the country, it is the sacred space, and in just minutes the pope will offering a special blessing at the World Trade Center site.
But, right now, Father James Martin, who spent time at Ground Zero ministering to people in the aftermath of those terrorism attacks, he is the author of the book "Searching for God at Ground Zero," and he is now here with me at Yankee Stadium. There you see the cover of the book.
Sir, thank you for being with us. And we were just talking about what this means to have Pope Benedict to go down to Ground Zero. Talk about, I guess, just the imagery and maybe the importance of that.
REV JAMES MARTIN, JESUIT PRIEST: Well, you are right, it is quite an image. This image of this very holy man representing the entire Catholic church, going to pray in this place that is essentially a grave. I always think of it as a cemetery because there are so many who died there and so many remains that are there, so (INAUDIBLE) paying his respects. And of course, so many victims are Catholic and so their families really appreciate that.
HOLMES: Also, the pope is expected to also have a blessing for the terrorists, as well. What does that say? What can that mean? How far can that go in trying to promote more healing, more understanding, more compassion about Catholics from us all?
MARTIN: Well, I think it's a hard message for a lot of people to hear, but the heart of the Christian message really, I think one of the new parts of the Christian message is that we are supposed to pray for our enemies and forgive those who harm us. So, you know, what the pope is doing is primarily praying for peace for the victims, but also praying even for those who harm us. So, it's a hard message, but it's the Christian message.
HOLMES: Ground Zero certainly a special place for a lot of people, you as well. You were down there immediately after the attacks and you went to work. What were people immediately after, searching for and what could you give them?
MARTIN: Well, you know, I worked among the firefighters and the police officers and the rescue workers and, you know, really they were looking for someone to talk to about their own experiences and yet at the same time in the midst of the pain, they found a great sense of community and peace. And so for a lot of them it was a great experience of God in the aftermath to be among all of these people working together. So, in a sense, I found God there. It wasn't as if I had to bring God there.
HOLMES: All right, well, Father Martin, we're going to be talking to you much more this morning and throughout the day you'll be here with us for the mass. People starting to file in here, and you're here early and we appreciate you being here, so we'll catch up with you. Thank you so much, sir, we'll talk to you again here soon.
MARTIN: My pleasure.
HOLMES: Well people, we need to keep it right here on CNN. Coming up, we're going to have a lot more from the pope's visit, his tour here of the U.S. Stay here, we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Want you to take a live look at Ground Zero where the pope will be really conducting a prayer a little later today at the site where nearly 3,000 died on 9/11. He will be conducting a prayer and then he will also meet with two dozen survivors, victims' relatives and rescue workers. So, it's a very historic day.
We have, on the ground, New York governor David Paterson, New Jersey governor John Corzine, New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg, so a lot of dignitaries showing up to participate in this event, today and we will cover it live here on CNN, which will happen in a matter of minutes.
But, in the meantime, welcome back, everybody, to our special coverage of Pope Benedict XVI's journey to America, his first trip. We're going to follow all of that and we want to give you a look at some of the other stories we have for you today, as well, because Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, she is in Iraq and her visit comes as radical Shiite cleric, Muqtada al Sadr, issues a warning. He says he will declare a war unless U.S. and Iraqi forces stop assaults on his followers.
Also a neo-Nazi rally in Washington leads to the arrest of five counter-demonstrators. They were protesting an anti-immigration rally by the National Socialist Movement. Now the counter-demonstrators are accused of assaulting police officers.
And both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are campaigning in Pennsylvania today. Pennsylvania primary is just two days away and of course, we will have live coverage of that. But today all focus is on politics and, of course, the pope. And T.J. Holmes, my partner, is at Yankee Stadium where a huge mass will be taking place a little bit later today.
HOLMES: Betty, we're expecting up to 60,000 people, many of them already filing in here, trying to get their spots, one of the good spots, a lot of pageantry, a lot of festivities going on inside, certainly a festive mood.
We do want to show you what is happening also, right now, at Ground Zero. We have live pictures to show you, expecting the pope to show up there at any moment, he will be there to give a special blessing, he'll pray and bless the grounds there, he will meet with some of the 9/11 survivors, relatives of the victims, also some first responders, really one of the more somber moments of his trip. He has been greeted with huge, cheering crowds, pretty much everywhere he has gone, but a much different scene down there. Again, we're seeing pretty much the motorcade that's starting to show up.
I'm joined again by Father James Martin to take us through this.
The pope is arriving down there, we understand, expecting him to get out. And we were just saying a moment ago, Father Martin that when we see him down there, when he sets foot on Ground Zero, this sacred, sacred ground, that's going to be a powerful image.
MARTIN: I know and the first time I heard about this visit to Ground Zero, I thought what a wonderful image that would be of just the pope praying very simply, kneeling down and praying his own private prayers on behalf of all these victims. I think, once again, it shows that the pope cares about the people who were killed, he cares about the families, and in a way he's representing all Catholic, there today.
HOLMES: And an awesome example he's setting, not just for Catholics, he always sets an example for Catholics, but an awesome example he's setting for the rest of us, for the non-Catholics, for the entire country, the entire world with what he's doing.
MARTIN: Absolutely. I mean, I think all of these great religious and moral leaders set examples for all people from all different religions and one of the main messages today, I think, is a message of forgiveness as well as, of course, a message of peace, which has been one of his primary messages over the last few days in the United States.
HOLMES: And we want to remind our viewers of what you're seeing. The pope has arrived at Ground Zero, expecting him to get out here shortly and go to that sacred site to have a blessing, to say prayers for those who died, so say prayers for those family members of those who died, also for some survivors and also the first responders, police officers, firefighters and the other first responder who were there.
Again, a solemn ceremony, this morning, compared to what we have seen the pope doing in his trip to the U.S. He's been here since last Tuesday, had a stop in Washington, D.C., now here in New York. And this will be the one time in his public appearances that it doesn't really look like the rest of those public appearances. He's been greeted by cheering crowds, people waving frantically, cheering frantically. And this will not be that case. He's not making any public statement.
Also, Father Martin, this sacred ground, a lot of people haven't had the chance to visit it, but people certainly know of it. What is Ground Zero? It is, like we said -- it's a burial site, it's a grave site, but what does this mean to New Yorkers, to the rest of country, put into context for a person who spent as much time as you did down there, just what that place is?
MARTIN: Well, you know, I would say it's kind of like a wound. It's a wound that is still healing. For some people it's still an open wound. It's a place and you go there and you feel a lot of pain. You know, we were just saying before the break that you can go there and while it looks like a construction site now with the construction going on, people still go there and mourn, you can see people crying for their friends and family members. So, it's still somewhat of an open wound.
HOLMES: OK. And our John Allan in the studio, also, with our Betty Nguyen.
Betty, I'll hand it back over to you for some more on what we're seeing here and what this means right now to have Pope Benedict XVI, right now, for the blessing down at Ground Zero.
NGUYEN: Yes, we are watching these live events unfold as we speak. And I do have senior Vatican analyst, John Allan, with me.
John, as we're watching all of these cardinals come into the area around Ground Zero, where they will be holding the blessing, today, this prayer, if you will, which is more like it, what should we expect to happen besides the prayer itself?
JOHN ALLEN, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: Well, what we will see, Betty, is the pope will deliver a prayer, which he has composed personally for this occasion, so very much a product of his own personal, spiritual reflection on the significance of Ground Zero. And then what we will see is the lighting of the candle as a remembrance, obviously, for what happened here. The pope will bless that candle. Then he will greet the dignitaries, Governor Paterson, Governor Corzine, Mayor Bloomberg, other dignitaries, in addition to the 24 people who are present, who are themselves either first responders or the relatives of victims, survivors of the Ground Zero attacks.
It will be a very simple and a very somber event. And I think we need to see it at two levels. One is the pastoral level of pope trying to bring healing directly to the people who were involved, remembering the loss that took place here. The other is the broader level, the pope seeing this as a kind of symbol of evil. And I think we will hear him prey that all those who harbor evil in their hearts who might be tempted or seduced by hatred or violence, that somehow healing will reach them, as well.
NGUYEN: Not to get that confused, he's not praying for terrorists. He's just praying that for those who have, as you say, the evil in their hearts, to change their way?
ALLEN: Well certainly, I'm sure the pope will pray that all those who might be involved in terrorist activity will somehow be converted. But I think in his own mind, at that level, this is a much broader reality, because evil expresses itself, of course, in a variety of ways, sometimes in these appalling acts of terrorism, sometimes in other acts of violence, sometimes in a variety of ways. And I think the pope will simply be praying that at this place, where the reality of evil that's so palpable and so in your face, if you like to use the American slang, that somehow that God's presence, God's love, God's healing can penetrate that and change hearts.
NGUYEN: Well, he is praying today, just watching it, and the symbolism there, you have covered this pope since the very beginning, since he was elected three years ago, what kind of message is not only sending to the faithful out there, but to Americans, especially those here in New York?
ALLEN: Well, you know, what I'm mindful of as I watch these scenes unfold, I accompanied Benedict XVI to Auschwitz shortly after his election and watching him walk under that famous gate, the "Arbeit Macht Frei," you know, "Work Makes You Free," and walk up to the victims wall in Auschwitz and then greet survivors there.
In many ways this day has a similar feel, I think the message he is trying to reach is first of all consolation for those who are most directly affected by this horror. And then secondly trying to send the message that even in those places where God seems completely absent, even in those places where it seems almost impossible to make a case that love can eventually triumph, that even there, somehow, we can find the presence of God and we can find a case for hope.
NGUYEN: In preparing for this trip to the U.S., these six days that have been so historic for the pope, how important was going to Ground Zero for the pope and for those helping plan this trip.
ALLEN: I think it was enormously important. I think the pope is well aware as the whole rest of the world is aware of what 9/11 meant in terms of contemporary history. And so I think in his own mind it would have been impossible to come to New York without coming to Ground Zero and to take account of the magnitude of what happened here. And also, the way this has become a symbol for the reality of terrorism and violence and hatred in today's world. So, I think it's very important for him.
NGUYEN: And as far as the event itself, as we are waiting for the pope to arrive, this really is going to be fairly quick.
ALLEN: Yeah, I mean, from start to finish, it should be a half hour. And I think Benedict, in a way, feels himself walking a fine line here, today. I think he felt he had to come here, but he certainly doesn't want to seem to be exploiting it or to be treating it like a photo op. I mean, I think he wants to do justice to the fact that the story here is really not him or his presence. The story here is this place, as a symbol for evil and his attempt to bring a message of God's love. So, it's going to be a very simple, somber affair, but one that I think in his own mind how long he's there really isn't important, the fact is that he is there. And I think, to him, that is the critical point of this morning.
NGUYEN: And I think the point that you made resonates with the fact that you don't see a lot of people surrounding Ground Zero, just to try to get a glimpse of the pope. Yesterday we were at St. Patrick's Cathedral and people lined the streets, today they're going to be filling in by the thousands at Yankee Stadium, but this is a very different occasion.
ALLEN: Yeah, the festivities, this morning, will come later, I mean, they will come in Yankee Stadium when we see people once again, you know, erupting with affection, with joy, you know, those chants (INAUDIBLE) that would course through the air, that would not be appropriate here. I mean, this requires a much different mood and you hear the music that is being played this morning, the very sort of quiet, low-key, almost reverential atmosphere that organizers have attempted to put together for this morning. The key is to make sure that no one has the impression that this moment is being exploited.
NGUYEN: And take a look right now, we see the popemobile arriving as he heads to Ground Zero to perform a prayer, today. Is this pretty much how the pope is going to be traveling throughout the day, as well as at Yankee Stadium?
ALLEN: Sure. He will go from here to his next stop by motorcade. But we'll see him again in the popemobile at Yankee Stadium.
Again, this popemobile, it's worth mentioning, the popemobile was invented, in effect, as a result of an act of terrorism, the May 13, 1981 assassination attempt against John Paul I. So, by no means are pope's innocent of the reality of the terrorist threat in today's world.
It's also worth mentioning that just not long ago, Osama bin Laden released an audiotape claiming that Benedict XVI was masterminding a new crusade against Islam. Many people took that as an implied terrorist threat against this pope. So, I think from that personal level too, this even is enormously meaningful for Benedict XVI. He understands in his own person what Ground Zero symbolizes and the unfortunate sad realities of today's world of which this is a symbol.
NGUYEN: And considering, just really, the whirlwind of a trip that he's had, this man is 81 years old and to come on the last day of his trip to such an emotional place and to be there for a prayer, really speaks volumes about his character and what he feels about what has happened here in America.
ALLEN: Oh absolutely. I mean bear in mind, as an 81-year-old man, there's only so many things this man can do, only so many events he can put in his schedule. You know, when John Paul was here in '79 it was a busier schedule. The fact that Benedict chose to be here this morning indicates how important is to him.
NGUYEN: And on a Sunday, no less. All right, John Allen, thank you for that. I'm going to send it back to my colleague, T.J. Holmes at Yankee Stadium, he is watching this live, just as we are, as the pope is arriving at Ground Zero -- T.J.
HOLMES: Yeah Betty, back here with Father Martin, and we are looking at these pictures you talked about a moment ago, that Ground Zero, still very much -- and 9/11, very much an open wound. This image we're seeing right now, how much closer are we getting to healing that wound just by this? Sometime it takes time, sometimes it takes moments like this. How much closer does this get us?
MARTIN: Well, I think it gets people a lot closer. I find that these kinds of images are so moving because it's a sign of people caring across the world and I think it's a reminder that for the pope, you know, he understands how important a place this is for Americans and for our history. And so I hope that it helps the victims and I hope it helps some move closer to reconciliation and healing.
HOLMES: You talked as well about just, there's a strange juxtaposition going on down there at Ground Zero with -- you do have this solemn site, you do have this gravesite, essentially, but also so much construction going on. Does that take away, and people have to be reminded sometimes of what happened, because sometimes it seems like business as usual, if you will, with just construction going on?
MARTIN: Well, I think for anyone who was affected directly, who lost any family members; they never have to be reminded. But, I think there are occasions when people sort of pass by and forget what they're seeing. I think this is a reminder as the pope's visit will show us that this is a holy site and it's a place I think that people need to stop and think before they sort of walk by quickly.
HOLMES: And again, we are seeing Pope Benedict XVI making his way down, right now, to that spot where he will deliver that blessing. The pope, this morning, this is one of his first stops, first public events, not expecting any public statements from the pope this morning, but he is there for a very quiet, very solemn ceremony with many of the survivors of that attack with several of the family members of those who were killed and also with some of the first responders. We will be quiet here for a moment as we take in this moment.
HIS HOLINESS, POPE BENEDICT XVI: Oh God, of love, compassion and healing, look on us, people of many faces and traditions who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain. We ask you in your goodness to give eternal light and peace to all who died here, to heroic first responders, our firefighters, police officers, emergency service workers and port authority personnel along with all the innocent men and women who were victims of this tragedy, simply because their work or service brought them here on September 11, 2001.
We ask you, in your compassion, to bring healing to those who because of their presence here today, suffer from injuries and illness. Heal too, the pain of their grieving families and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy. Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope. We are mindful, as well, of those who suffered death, injury and loss on the same day as the Pentagon and then Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Our hearts are one with theirs as our prayer and visit their pain and suffering. God of peace bring our peace to our violent world, peace into the hearts of our men and women, and peace amongst the nations of the Earth, turn to your (INAUDIBLE) of lost souls whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred. (INAUDIBLE) understanding (INAUDIBLE) magnitude of this tragedy. Visit your light and guidance as we confront such terrible events. Grant that (INAUDIBLE) may lift (INAUDIBLE) lives lost here may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope and give us a reason and courage to work tireless for a world that true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all.
The lord be with you.
CONGREGATION: And also with you.
HIS HOLINESS, POPE BENEDICT XVI: May the lord bless you and keep you.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
HIS HOLINESS, POPE BENEDICT XVI: May his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
HIS HOLINESS, POPE BENEDICT XVI: May he look upon you with kindness and give you his peace.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
HIS HOLINESS, POPE BENEDICT XVI: May almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
NGUYEN: This is a live look at the Ground Zero blessing by Pope Benedict XVI. And as we see there, the pope is meeting with some of those first responders on 9/11. He's also going to be meeting with survivors and victims' relatives. This is a really special and somber, really, John Allan, time for these first responders and member whose have not only come out here to see this blessing happen, but are also reminded of what happened there, at Ground Zero.
ALLEN: Well sure. I mean, it's a very personal, obviously, for these people, because this isn't just about global war on terrorism and this isn't just about man's inhumanity to man. You're now talking about people who have lost colleagues that lost sons and daughters, wives and husbands. Some of them, themselves, were injured in these attacks and still carrying in their own flesh scars of that day. So, it's an enormously poignant moment for these people.
And again, you see the pope here acting not as a global titan, in a way, and not as the CEO of a vast international religious organization, but in a way as a simple pastor, standing with people who are hurting, who have suffered and trying to bring healing.
We saw Benedict XVI earlier this week, of course, doing that in the meeting with victims of sexual abuse, and once again, here today, people who have suffered. He's playing that quintessential priestly role. And it's important to remember that before he is a bishop or a cardinal or a pope, in his heart he still sees himself as a simple priest. And this morning is one of those moments when he gets to perform that priestly function of trying to bring God's love to people who so desperately need it.
NGUYEN: He is meeting with 24 people, as we are seeing it happen right now. Do you have any idea how these particular people were chosen?
ALLEN: I believe the Archdiocese of New York worked with, in the case of the first responders, worked with the police department and the firefighters and then worked with some of the networks of survivors and of families in order to put together this group.
NGUYEN: He's very comprehensive in his blessing, he mentioned the first responders, the firefighters, the police officers, the emergency workers, the port authority, he went on to mention the grieving families and did not forget about those who died at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This is a pope who came here to specifically deliver a message to what had happened on that fateful day.
ALLEN: Sure, and it's obvious he wanted to make sure that no one was left out, that he wanted to make sure that all those who were directly touched by events of 9/11 were mentioned by name, or mentioned specifically in this prayer. But then in the end, Betty, of course, he also broadens the focus a bit and prays that all of those who are tempted by evil, who are tempted by hatred may turn to God's way of love.
And I think, in a way, that's the sort of broad message of seeing the Holy Father, seeing Pope Benedict XVI, here at Ground Zero this morning, in the first place is to bring healing to these people, but more broadly than that, it's to speak this cri de coeur, this cry of the heart, that somehow all of those currents and temptations to hatred and violence that are throughout will somehow be placed in the hands of God and turn to good.
NGUYEN: Yeah, like you said, to bring your love to those hearts and minds who are consumed with hatred, speaking specifically to those who are intent on bringing out ill will, terrorist activity, things of those sorts.
John Allen, thank you for that. I want to toss it over now to my colleague who is at Yankee Stadium, T.J. Holmes.
As we're watching this, quite an historic event, T.J..
HOLMES: Yeah, and I'm back here. The organ is playing, here. Of course, the pope will be back here at Yankee Stadium in several hours to preside over a huge mass here for some 60,000. I'm rejoined by Father Jim Martin who really was down at Ground Zero immediately after the 9/11 attack, who certainly was trying to give some comfort to those right after those attacks, to many of those first responders.
And when this started, when the pope stepped up there and knelt down and began to pray, everybody up here pretty much said it in unison, this gives me chills.
MARTIN: It does give you chills. I think it's a reminder not only that the pope understands our sorrow, but more importantly that God is with us in our sorrow and that we believe that we don't have a God who let's us suffer alone, and it's through other people and our prayers, that God (INAUDIBLE), so it's a powerful symbol that God, I think, is with us even in our suffering.
HOLMES: You spoke, as well, about some of the first responder, those police officers, firefighters, huge amount of Catholics within them.
MARTIN: I was surprised when I went down there, just how many Catholic were there and in fact, in that first few weeks, I use to tell people that with all the police officers and firefighters (INAUDIBLE) probably Ground Zero, that is, the largest Catholic parish in the city. And so when I said mass there, one Sunday, they were dozens of people coming up for communion, it was really quite moving, kneeling to get the Eucharist and the ashes.
HOLMES: All right, and Betty, as we continue to watch these pictures, I will have you know that people are starting to gather here, like I said, expecting some 60,000 in Yankee. They do have, on the jumbo screens here, pictures of the blessing going on at Ground Zero. And like I said, it is kind of a festive mood, here. But when the pope, Betty, got there and knelt down, everyone stopped what they were doing, they turned their attention to those screens and it kind of got quiet in here, except for the music playing, of course. Everyone just stopped for a moment to take that in.
NGUYEN: And it's definitely a moment where you wanted to pause and really watch it unfold, live, right here. And as we continue to watch the pope as he meets with members of the emergency response, he's also meeting with survivors from 9/11, as well as victims' relatives, this is an historic trip, and today, you know, really falling in line with the history that's being made during this papal visit. John Allen joins me now.
And John, as we watch this, and we talk of the importance of this trip, the pope really was specific in what he wanted to do in America, he went to key spots and did those for specific reasons.
ALLEN: Sure. I mean, begin with the fact that the first stop on his itinerary was the nation's capital in Washington, which gave him an opportunity to address the entire country in a sense, a broad message to the American people. He also, of course, addressed the entire body of bishops of the United States, speaking to the entire American Catholic church.
Then he comes to New York where he speaks to the United Nations which gives him a chance to talk to the whole world. And then here this afternoon with the mass at Yankee Stadium, in a way he is once again addressing the entire American Catholic church because this is, after all, the 200th birthday of the Archdiocese of New York. So, in a sense he's taking the American Catholic church back to its roots. So, these have been highly symbolically chosen occasions for the Pope to deliver messages that, believe me, he has been laboring over four months. I think every word, every adverb, in his messages over these days.
NGUYEN: And it hasn't been lost on the Catholic or the curious, because at these other events, we have seen people come out by the hundreds and the thousands just to catch a glimpse. But, today at Ground Zero, it's a very different feel. It's a very somber scenario, and you don't see people lining the streets, but you will later today. What happens between what is going on right now at Ground Zero and then what we see later this afternoon at Yankee Stadium, what does the pope do in between? This is indeed his last day in the U.S.
ALLEN: That's right well Betty, from here he is going to go back to his residents at the home of the Vatican ambassador at the United Nations, he's going to have a private lunch there, obviously gathering his strength for what is to come. He will then make his way to Yankee Stadium for this enormous open air mass, which will be, of course, the final of three papal masses in Yankee Stadium, because they're tearing the stadium down to build a new one. Paul VI said mass there in 1965, John Paul II in '79, now Benedict XVI in 2008.
And then after that mass, he will move directly to the John F. Kennedy Airport, here in the New York area, for the final farewell to the American people and his return to Rome.
NGUYEN: In fact, isn't he being greeted by dignitaries there at JFK this evening. I understand...
ALLEN: Vice President Cheney and a number of other dignitaries will be there to say farewell to the pope, that's right.
NGUYEN: And for a man who's 81 years old, how is he holding up? I mean, he seems to be doing just fine. And, in fact, in many of these stops he has embraced this role and how he's being received here in America.
ALLEN: That's right. And part of that is that he is actually in strikingly good health for a man of his age. Part of it is I think he's been energized by this experience.
He said yesterday in a message to a Catholic radio station, or a written message which he passed along, that it's not just that he has brought a message to the American people, he has also received a message from the American people.
NGUYEN: He's being received right now by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. This is not just a special occasion for Catholics, but it's also really a special occasion for those in politics, because, you know, regardless what you say about religion and politics, the pope has had somewhat of a political message on this trip.
Right now we're looking at him meeting with New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. And the pope really hasn't been shy about that, John.
ALLEN: No. In fact, part of the heart of the pope's argument in the United States is precisely that religious believers and religious groups need to be active in the country's debates. They need to bring their values into the public square. That, in fact, it would be wrong to try to exclude them from doing so. So there has been a sort of political edge.
The pope has tried to stay above the political fray of the '08 elections, obviously, but we've heard him talking about immigration, we've heard him talking about abortion, about defense of the poor. So clearly there has been a political message, and clearly also America's political leaders have wanted to in a sense wrap themselves in the presence of the pope.
You'll remember yesterday we heard Mayor Bloomberg addressing the crowd outside St. Patrick's Cathedral with obvious enthusiasm to welcome Pope Benedict XVI.
NGUYEN: We just saw the pope with New York Governor David Paterson, the new governor. And that's something that actually had to be changed in the whole agenda, because he was originally going to meet with Governor Spitzer.
ALLEN: That's right. The Vatican issues a formal trip book for the press and others who will be accompanying the pope. And at one stage it was printed with the name of Governor Eliot Spitzer for this morning's events. Obviously, that had to be sent back to the printers to be brought up to speed to make sure...
NGUYEN: Things have changed between then and now.
ALLEN: Things have changed. So it had to have Governor Paterson's name in it.
NGUYEN: Well, John, I do appreciate your time today. I know you need to get going because you're headed over to the mass at Yankee Stadium.
Thank you so much for your insight. We'll be checking in with you a little bit later today.
And speaking of Yankee Stadium, I want to send it over to my colleague, T.J. Holmes, who has been there since the wee hours.
And T.J., it looks like the blessing at Ground Zero is wrapping up, and the next big item on the agenda is right where you are.
HOLMES: Yes, a big item on the agenda, and a much different item on the agenda over here, Betty, as you all were just talking about. Really a solemn ceremony as we watch the pope get back into his pope- mobile and make his way, as John just said, over to the papal residence, where he'll get a little down time before he has this very busy afternoon here at Yankee Stadium.
You all are likely still hearing the organ playing in the background. Music has been playing on the loudspeakers as people begin to gather here at Yankee Stadium.
But we will continue to watch the picture here. And also with me still is Father Jim Martin, who administered down there to so many first responders right after 9/11.
The pope has now given his blessing to Ground Zero. You personally, that ground means so much to you, has meant so much to you in your life. Again, you've written a book about finding God, searching for answers really down there at that site.
What does it mean now for you to see the pope down there blessing that very ground?
MARTIN: Well, you know, I think it shows that he's a good pastor and he has good pastoral instincts. In a sense, I was thinking, ironically, of the sexual abuse victims. He went to the source of their pain by confronting and meeting some of the sexual abuse victims, and he went to, in a sense, the source of a lot of the pain in our country, to Ground Zero. So I think a good pastor knows to go to that pain and speak words of comfort and healing.
HOLMES: What could we imagine he was saying to those people he was greeting, those police officers, those families and members of those who died in those attacks, those survivors? Like I said, about 24 people he did greet down there. What were those little sessions like? They just went a few seconds, you know, just a quick greeting, but the back and forth, what could you imagine that was like?
MARTIN: Well, you know, I think a good priest listens. And it looked like he was listening to them tell their stories, even if for a short moment of what happened to them and their family members and some of their sorrow. And probably just responding and saying that he was praying for them, which I'm sure meant a lot.
But just his very presence -- you know, in theology we talk about the ministry of presence. Just being there I think meant an awful lot to those people.
HOLMES: Do we I guess sometimes forget -- I've heard that so many times. John just said it, and you said a couple times, those pastoral instincts. The man is still -- he has the background. He's been a bishop. He's been a priest.
And you know, he's larger than life almost as the pope, but still, that's in him. Those are his roots.
MARTIN: I think that's a very good point, that he is a priest, first and foremost, and was ordained to serve and console and to forgive people. And so he's doing that in a very basic way, and I think, you know, he's there as the pope, he's there as a bishop, but you're right, he's also there as a priest for these people.
HOLMES: And he's certainly going to be switching moods here now. It will be a much different setting here -- over here at this stadium, where people are starting to gather, starting to fill in some of these seats. Expecting 60,000 here at Yankee Stadium. So a much different mood setting that we have here.
But it was a powerful moment here. Everybody stopped in this stadium and looked up at these jumbotrons to watch what was happening. You couldn't help but be drawn in by what we just saw.
MARTIN: Well, and I was imagining this moment, but I couldn't imagine its impact. I think, you know, in a sense, a picture says a thousand words. And just the picture of him kneeling silently before the victims and praying for their family members was very laden with meaning, at least for me.
HOLMES: Well, it was certainly maybe the most watched prayer in the world that we saw here earlier with the pope. And we are still watching these live pictures. But the pope is now leaving Ground Zero.
You can't help but see the pope-mobile there in the middle, the top of it still there, the white pope-mobile, as he makes his way out and makes his way back to the papal residence, and then makes his way over here.
Father Martin, we certainly appreciate the time you have spent here with us and giving us some of your insights, and sharing some of your feelings, because we know that ground, that area, means so much to you, so much to the people of New York. We thank you so much.
And there he goes. The pope now heading back to the residence for down time, and he will make his way over here to Yankee Stadium.
But again, Father Martin, we appreciate you this morning.
We expect -- yes, the pope there going to get some rest this afternoon, maybe tickle the ivories, as they say. They always give him a little time to use that piano, as he loves. Mozart. He's a big fan. But we will have coverage of the papal mass over here at Yankee Stadium coming your way at 2:00 Eastern Time. Betty is actually going to join me over here for that coverage. And
following the mass it will be wheels up for Shepherd One. The pope is going to be flying out, heading back over to Vatican City. So, still, he does have a very busy day ahead of him.
As you can see here, we'll give you a shot while we're here with you of what's happening. People are starting to fill in. Like we said, they opened the gates here at 9:00, even though the mass doesn't start until 2:30.
People already, right at 9:00, five and a half hours, Betty, early got here, getting their spots. And right now the mood is starting to build. People are in good spirits, and festive, and certainly getting ready to see the pope, which we know how he will be greeted by these tens of thousands, up to 60,000, we're told, possibly will be here inside Yankee Stadium.
The rain is holding off on us right now. It's a little cold, but it's getting better. But rain, some sleet, snow, shine, these people will not be bothered by the weather. They're excited to see the pope -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Absolutely. I don't even know if we'll be able to hear ourselves out there today with all the cheering from those thousands and thousands of people. But we will be there indeed from Yankee Stadium.
We have live coverage of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States and the mass later today. But right now we want to send it to Howard Kurtz in Washington with RELIABLE SOURCES.
