Pope Benedict XVI has concluded his visit to the United States with a firm message that Catholic politicians cannot support either abortion or gay marriages.
NEW YORK: Pope Benedict XVI has concluded his six-day visit to the United States with a firm message that Catholic politicians cannot support either abortion or gay marriages.
In an open air mass celebrated with an estimated 75,000 people repeatedly cheering the pontiff in bright cool Sunday afternoon, Pope rejected the "false dichotomy between faith and political life" in clear direction to 65 million members of the US Church to obey the position of Vatican.
He got prolonged standing ovation from the faithful and hundreds of Church leaders present when he called for protection of the rights of "the most defenseless of human beings, the unborn child in mother's womb."
How far the Pope message would resonate with the Catholics now facing divisions is yet unclear but the 81-year-old Pontiff made clear his highly conservative credentials.
The Pope once again raised the issue of sexual abuse of children by priests over the decades which has cost the Church around USD two billion in legal fee and compensation and forced closure of dozens of perishes for want of funds.
But he told the faithful that they should not be discouraged. "It means not losing heart in the face of resistance, adversity and scandal," the pope said, adding that it means "overcoming every separation between faith and life, and countering false gospels of freedom and happiness".
In a message to Americans, he asked them to use wisely the "blessings of freedom" to build a "future of hope for coming generations".
All display advertisements in the Yankee Stadium where the mass was held were covered with the black cloth to ensure solemnity of the ceremonies which lasted about three hours.
The Pope was cheered by the crowd as he entered the venue in the bulletproof Popemobile. But for the first time since his visit, he pulled down the windowpane as he waved to acknowledge the greetings.
During his visit, Pope Benedict has been paying special attention to bringing back young people to Church in the backdrop of fast dwindling attendance by them.
A recent poll had found that more than 60 per cent Catholics do not agree with Church's teaching on abortion, women's rights and gay marriages. But that did not deter the Pope from expressing his firm opinion on these controversial issues.
Without mentioning the acute shortage of priest which is expected to force closure of perishes, Pope Benedict urged young men and women to "Open your hearts to the Lord's call to follow him in priesthood and the religious life".
The Pope, who was received by President George Bush himself in a rare gesture when he arrived in Washington to begin the visit, was seen off by Vice President Dick Cheney who said that the pontiff's visit had been great inspiration for the people.
Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton took time off her busy last minute election campaign to be present at the departure ceremony along with her husband former President Bill Clinton.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}