A papal chair made from American walnut

The papal chair used by Pope Benedict XVI for yesterday’s vespers service and his address to the U.S. bishops afterward was fashioned from American walnut, a wood ”characteristic of America,” said Lou Dicocco.
His family-run company received the commission to make the high-backed papal seat, two side chairs and two kneelers for the pope’s visit to the Basilica [...]

Text of pope to Jewish community

Here is the text as released by the Vatican of Pope Benedict’s message today to the Jewish community:
My dear friends,
I extend special greetings of peace to the Jewish community in the United States and throughout the world as you prepare to celebrate the annual feast of Pesah. My visit to this country has coincided with [...]

What the well-stocked reporter brings

When covering a major event like a papal visit in situations when you don’t know when you’re going to be back at the office, one needs to be both compact and resourceful.
Here’s a personal checklist, augmented by CNS International Editor Barb Fraze, of things reporters — well, at least this one — has on their [...]

Text of pope to other religions

Here is the prepared text as released by the Vatican of Pope Benedict’s message this evening to representatives of other religions:
My dear friends,
I am pleased to have this occasion to meet with you today. I thank Bishop Sklba for his words of welcome, and I cordially greet all those in attendance representing various religions in [...]

Text of pope to educators

Here is the prepared text as released by the Vatican of Pope Benedict’s address to Catholic educators this afternoon:
Your Eminences,
Dear Brother Bishops,
Distinguished Professors, Teachers and Educators,
“How beautiful are the footsteps of those who bring good news” (Rom 10:15-17). With these words of Isaiah quoted by Saint Paul, I warmly greet each of you - bearers [...]

Pope meets privately with victims of priestly sexual abuse

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI held an unscheduled meeting with victims of priestly sexual abuse, shortly after pledging the church’s continued efforts to help heal the wounds caused by such acts.
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No cheering in the press box

Baseball fan that I am, I’ve wangled my way into more than a few press boxes in my day.
Press boxes are now far too big to be considered boxes or boxlike. Some press boxes at newer ballparks are now called “media centers” in acknowledgment of the multiple forms of communication — radio, television, online and, yes, [...]

Curse of the coffee achievers

In the three-week existence of Nationals Park as a functioning stadium, there probably had never been the demand for coffee as was experienced this morning before Pope Benedict XVI’s Mass.
For one thing, the Mass was a morning event, starting at 10 a.m. This meant that people had to get to the park early to go through [...]

Strained glass

With all of the attention focused on Pope Benedict XVI’s Mass, with its altar in deep center field at Nationals Park in Washington, it’s likely that few worshippers took notice of the press box behind home plate.
If they had, they would have noticed a half-inch-thick pane of glass cracked in hundreds (if not thousands) of [...]

Breakfast at the ballpark

Washington Nationals management took great pride in convincing a lot of local restaurateurs to be vendors at Nationals Park: the Red Hot & Blue barbecue chain, the Five Guys hamburger shops, Gifford’s ice cream, Hard Times Cafe, Boardwalk Fries and others.
But when the concession stands opened at 6 a.m. today for Pope Benedict XVI’s Mass, [...]