NEWS

Pope Benedict XVI's final homily to Americans, given at the Sunday, April 20, Mass at Yankee Stadium, was about Jesus. Imagine that, a Catholic Pope, at a Catholic Mass, talking about Jesus.

Among all the red hats and sashes trailing after the Pope at his various events here in the United States was one who is a familiar figure to Canadians. It was Cardinal Marc Ouellet, archbishop of Quebec and primate of the Catholic Church in Canada.

Among all the red hats and sashes trailing after the Pope at his various events here in the United States was one who is a familiar figure to Canadians. It was Cardinal Marc Ouellet, archbishop of Quebec and primate of the Catholic Church in Canada.

Pope Benedict's six-day visit to the United States has been marked by a plethora of anniversaries. Even his own: the Holy Father celebrated his 81st birthday on April 16, the day he met U.S. President George Bush in Washington, DC.

Pope Benedict's six-day visit to the United States has been marked by a plethora of anniversaries. Even his own: the Holy Father celebrated his 81st birthday on April 16, the day he met U.S. President George Bush in Washington, DC.

The spring sunshine of the past week had given way to cool air and gray skies. Fog enshrouded the tops of Manhattan's skyline. At Ground Zero, some five storeys below street level where once stood the World Trade Towers, Pope Benedict XVI prayed for the dead and the living.

The spring sunshine of the past week had given way to cool air and gray skies. Fog enshrouded the tops of Manhattan's skyline. At Ground Zero, some five storeys below street level where once stood the World Trade Towers, Pope Benedict XVI prayed for the dead and the living.

Saturday afternoon in New York in the springtime. The streets in downtown Manhattan are teeming with people of all ages, races and fashions. But Pope Benedict XVI isn't there. He's in Yonkers hugging and kissing disabled children and soaking in the joyful exuberance of youth.

Saturday afternoon in New York in the springtime. The streets in downtown Manhattan are teeming with people of all ages, races and fashions. But Pope Benedict XVI isn't there. He's in Yonkers hugging and kissing disabled children and soaking in the joyful exuberance of youth.

The Knights of Columbus were tickled pink that their founder made a cameo appearance in Pope Benedict's April 19 homily for the Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Fr. Michael McGivney was mentioned as an exemplar of a priestly accomplishment in U.S. history.