Pope's video address to American Catholics .
On April 8, a few days before his arrival in the United States, Benedict XVI sent a video message to American Catholics expressing his desire to be with them and asking them to pray for his trip to the U.S.
The Pope's address at the White House .
On Wednesday, April 16, Benedict XVI met with President George Bush at the White House and gave an address in which he spoke about the source of America's strength: its foundation on the grounding of "the laws of nature and of nature's God."
Address to the American Bishops
Given at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. on Wedensday, April 16, Benedict XVI speaks about a wide range of topics, including the need to combat secular materialism and clerical abuse, and the Christian duty to welcome immigrants.
Homily at Nationals Park Stadium
Benedict XVI's homily during Holy Mass on Thursday morning in Washington D.C. Over 46,000 people were present. The Pope spoke about hope and the need to bring that hope to all people through evangelization.
Address to Catholic Educators At The Catholic University of America on Thursday, April 17, the Holy Father challenged educators to confront "moral confusion and fragmentation of knowledge" with the "noble goals of scholarship and education, founded on the unity of truth."
Greeting to the Jewish Community
Benedict XVI stresses the common values shared by Christians and Jews, and says that both are "prisoners of hope" (Zachariah 9:12), sharing the hope of the final redemption of all mankind.
Papal Address to Interreligious Leaders
On Thursday evening, Pope Benedict met with leaders of non-christian religions at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center In Washington. He said that religious leaders share the responsibility for keeping existential questions alive in the culture. He also said that inter-religious dialogue should seek the truth in religious questions.
Addressing the General Assembly on Friday morning, Benedict XVI said that "the Church is committed to contributing her experience 'of humanity,' developed over the centuries among peoples of every race and culture, and placing it at the disposal of all members of the international community."
Meeting with Representatives of the Jewish Community On Friday afternoon in the Park East Synagogue, Benedict XVI expressed his esteem for the Jewish people and said how moved he was to recall "that Jesus, as a young boy, heard the words of Scripture and prayed in a place such as this."
Address at Ecumenical Prayer Service
At St. Joseph's Parish, the Pope met with representatives of various Christian denominations for a brief ecumenical prayer service. He asked everyone to pray for "the 'oneness of hope, oneness of faith, and oneness of love' that alone will convince the world that Jesus Christ is the one sent by the Father for the salvation of all."
Homily at St. Patrick's Cathedral
The Holy Father's homily on Saturday morning in St. Patrick's Cathedral was a hope-filled call for a "deeper faith in God’s infinite power to transform every human situation." The Pope said: "Let us ask the Spirit to enable us each day to grow in the holiness that will make us living stones in the temple which he is even now raising up in the midst of our world."
Address at St. Joseph's Seminary
On Saturday April 19th, the Holy Father told the seminarians and young people gathered at St. Joseph's Seminary to fight against the temptation "to close in on ourselves, to doubt the strength of Christ's radiance, to limit the horizon of hope. Take courage! Fix your gaze on our saints."
Address to Young People with Disabilities
In his brief address on Saturday afternoon when meeting with disabled children at St. Joseph's seminary, the Holy Father stressed the divine value of all human life and the pressing need "to see life as God does."
The Pope's Prayer at Ground Zero
Here is the prayer said by Benedict XVI' when he visited Ground Zero in New York on the morning of Sunday, April 20th, in which he said "Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred."
Benedict XVI's Homily at Yankee Stadium
In his final Mass in the U.S., celebrated at Yankee Stadium in New York on the afternoon of Sunday, April 20th, the Pope spoke about obedience and authority as well as the need to have our Christian faith permeate every aspect of one's life, including participation in public life.
Benedict XVI expresses his gratitude and affection just before boarding the plane that will take him back to Rome.
