Pope praises the church in America

NEW YORK — At Yankee Stadium Sunday, the Papal Crest covered the pitcher's mound and an altar covered second base. Choirs performed at home plate, and dozens of priests and bishops sat at first and third.

The old Bronx infield had been transformed into an open-air church as Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass for 65,000 people on the final day of his first visit to the U.S. that started last week.

Pope Benedict is the successor to Pope John Paul II, who died three years ago after leading the church for nearly three decades. For many Catholics at the stadium Sunday, part of

their reason for coming to the stadium Mass was to see the new leader for the first time, they said. Getting a papal blessing for rosaries or other items also topped the list.

"It is a thrill to see the pope," said Nancy Hirten of Long Island, who came with 11 family members, including her 82-year-old mother and brother, Father Tim Hirten, who is a chaplain at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma. "You can feel the excitement in the air."

"It is a great feeling to feel the presence of the Holy Father," said Flo Lee, part of the three-person delegation from Altus Air Force Base. "I will listen to him for hope, peace and love for the whole nation. We all have one faith, and I want everyone to come together."

Lee said attending a papal Mass is a "once in a lifetime experience."

"You can say I was there," Lee said.

The atmosphere inside the stadium had dramatic shifts throughout the day. Before the pope arrived, Harry Connick Jr., Jose Feliciano and numerous other musicians and choirs entertained the crowd.

The excited attendees did "the wave" and carried cardboard boxes of hot dogs and fries as the long wait for the Mass seemed it would never end. They chanted "Ben-ne-dict-to!" and sang along with hymns performed on stage.

The pontiff arrived via his popemobile drawing a thunderous outburst from the crowd as they twirled gold or white handkerchiefs in the air — the official colors of the Vatican. As he got out of his car and disappeared into the dugout to change into vestments for the Mass, the enthusiastic crowd started chanting "We want the Pope!" and "Viva Papa!"

As the service started, the crowed became calmer — even silent except for the rumble of the subway train behind the stadium — as the traditional parts of the Mass unfolded, including distribution of Communion throughout the stands.