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Surrounded by priests, bishops, cardinals, religious sisters and brothers, not to mention permanent deacons, it's no surprise that Pope Benedict's homily during a Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York would be a little "entre nous." 

Surrounded by priests, bishops, cardinals, religious sisters and brothers, not to mention permanent deacons, it's no surprise that Pope Benedict's homily during a Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York would be a little "entre nous." 

{mosimage}NEW YORK - In his first address to the United Nations, Pope Benedict XVI delivered a staunch defence of religious freedom in the face of secular pressure to privatize faith.

The settiing was St. Joseph's Church in New York's Yorkville, a parish established for German immigrants in 1893. In this temple of worship were gathered some 250 Protestant and Orthodox church leaders, 50 Catholics and Pope Benedict XVI.

The settiing was St. Joseph's Church in New York's Yorkville, a parish established for German immigrants in 1893. In this temple of worship were gathered some 250 Protestant and Orthodox church leaders, 50 Catholics and Pope Benedict XVI.

Had time to kill this afternoon since only a tiny number of journalists were able to accompany Pope Benedict on his visits to Park East Synagogue and St. Joseph's Church. So I wandered around St. Patrick's Cathedral, the very heart of Catholic New York. Half a block away, I was accosted by two young men wearing tight T-shirts, jeans and sneakers.

Had time to kill this afternoon since only a tiny number of journalists were able to accompany Pope Benedict on his visits to Park East Synagogue and St. Joseph's Church. So I wandered around St. Patrick's Cathedral, the very heart of Catholic New York. Half a block away, I was accosted by two young men wearing tight T-shirts, jeans and sneakers.

How many world leaders come and go at the United Nations headquarters in New York with nary a word to say to the staff? Almost all, I would daresay. But not Pope Benedict XVI. Before rushing off to his next even after his major address April 18 to the UN General Assembly, he dallied a while to talk to the hired help.

How many world leaders come and go at the United Nations headquarters in New York with nary a word to say to the staff? Almost all, I would daresay. But not Pope Benedict XVI. Before rushing off to his next even after his major address April 18 to the UN General Assembly, he dallied a while to talk to the hired help.

{mosimage}TORONTO - Vocations in Toronto might seem healthier from the perspective of other Canadian dioceses. Where some areas of the country generate zero priestly vocations on a yearly basis, the archdiocese of Toronto’s mean average is four or five. In fact, Toronto will  be ordaining seven priests for the archdiocese in May.