What the Pope Accomplished

The only real way to gauge the effect of the pope's trip is the echo he leaves and the response that follows. The substantive parts of the trip were the talks, the prepared speeches that addressed the big issues, the questions on how the pontiff would take control of the part of his flock that had strayed from the church's social doctrine. But even if Benedict's messages were well received, the fruits of his work in America won't be seen overnight. (Victims of pedophile priests, in particular, are waiting to see if there are changes in church law that deal more harshly with abusive priests and the bishops who may have covered up for them.) "The trip was designed as a seed-planting mission," says Ray Arroyo, news director of global Catholic network EWTN. And with careful planning, he addressed all major constituencies. "Think about it," says Arroyo. "He spoke to international leaders, leaders of other religions, educators, priests, bishops, the infirm. There isn't a part of the culture he hasn't engaged."

Not to mention youth. At the event where Benedict invested most in the future of his church in America, 30,000 young people—almost 10 percent of them seminarians—met him at a youth rally at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y. The event was designed more like a rock festival (minus the sex and drugs) than a sacred meeting with the Holy Father. Pop star Kelly Clarkson headlined the preshow, followed by chants of "Ben-e-detto" in traditional arena style from most people in the crowd, some of whom sported "I Love Benedict" shirts. In the wake of the abuse scandal, the burden of healing the church in the coming years lies largely with them, and many seemed pleased that Benedict had addressed the issue so forthrightly. "Young Catholics seek authenticity, and it's up to us to present that to them," said 29-year old Allan Wirfel, a Legionaries of Christ seminarian in Cheshire, Conn. "Having Pope Benedict here is the embodiment of that authenticity. The fact that he's an older man only reinforces the depth of his conviction." And assuming the pope's continued good health, another visit soon would probably be welcome too.

© 2008