Pope Benedict's Mass in Washington, D.C.

Mass at the Washington Nationals Stadium

Confessionals were set up throughout the stadium, and the Washington Times reported that "Lines at the booths were 20 deep by 7 a.m." In marked contrast to Masses held during previous papal visits to the United States (as well as common practice in American Catholic parishes), no extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist were used. Instead, Communion was distributed by 300 priests and deacons, stationed throughout the stadium. The entire crowd received Communion in under 20 minutes.

The decision may have come from the Holy Father himself, who has been critical of the practice, common in American parishes, of overusing Eucharistic ministers.

Pointing to Romans 8, Pope Benedict spoke of prayer--"groanings"--"inspired by the Spirit," to enable us to suffer, if need be, for the truth. "With this prayer, may the Church in America embrace ever more fully the way of conversion and fidelity to the demands of the Gospel."

Conversion requires repentance, and the Holy Father declared that "The liberating power of this sacrament, in which our honest confession of sin is met by God’s merciful word of pardon and peace, needs to be rediscovered and reappropriated by every Catholic. . . . the renewal of the Church in America and throughout the world depends on the renewal of the practice of Penance and the growth in holiness which that sacrament both inspires and accomplishes."

Renewal, however, requires all Catholics to conform themselves to the teachings of the Church, in order "to offer their contemporaries a convincing account of the hope which inspires them." The need for renewal is urgent, because "The world needs this witness! Who can deny that the present moment is a crossroads, not only for the Church in America but also for society as a whole?" Reminding the faithful of the work of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father called all to pray "that the Church in America will be renewed in that same Spirit, and sustained in her mission of proclaiming the Gospel to a world that longs for genuine freedom (cf. Jn 8:32), authentic happiness, and the fulfillment of its deepest aspirations!"

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!