Pope Benedict XVI made his first visit to the United States April 15-20, 2008. While Pope John Paul II had an extensive itinerary during his first trip to the United States in 1979, Pope Benedict's agenda was more limited. He visited only two cities--Washington, D.C., and New York City--and held one public Mass in each. The Holy Father met with the bishops of the United States while in Washington, and he held two ecumenical meetings, one in each city. While in New York, he also addressed the United Nations.
The links below will take you to coverage of each major stop on the Holy Father's journey.
April 20, 2:30 P.M.: Mass at Yankee Stadium
On Sunday afternoon, April 20, the Holy Father offered Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Easter at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Mass also commemorated the bicentennial anniversaries of the archdioceses of Baltimore, Boston, Louisville, New York, and Philadelphia. The Mass ended with an apostolic blessing, as well as the blessing of a cornerstone for the bicentennial garden at St. Patrick's Cathedral and a crucifix to be placed in the chapel of St. John Neumann Seminary.April 20, 8:00 P.M.: Farewell Ceremony at JFK International Airport
Pope Benedict departed the United States from JFK International Airport in New York on the night of Sunday, April 20. A farewell ceremony was held at the airport, and the Holy Father deliver a final address to the American people. He arrived back in Rome on Monday, April 21.Photo Gallery of Pope Benedict's 2008 Visit to the United States
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Relive the stops along Pope Benedict XVI's April 2008 apostolic journey to the United States and follow the Holy Father as he visits Washington, D.C., and New York City. Check back often for new photos!
