The Holy Father’s visit to our nation will prompt many responses. Some will mention the sad abuse scandal (and, like one blogger here, be dumb and bigoted enough to generalize it to the whole Church) and a few will use it to otherwise Catholic bash. Knocking the regilion that is the faith of more Americans than anyother is one of the last seemingly acceptable places for outright bigotry in our society and in the media. For the rest of us–whether the faithful or even just admirers of a holy man–let’s soak in the inspiration of his presence, intellect, and greatness.

ursula London UK

I am a practicing Catholic and am doing a prayer called the Divine chaplet of which Our Lord gave to St. Faustina to say for the whole world.

I would suggest to You Laura as your report is so wonderful that perhaps you should just say once - the Divine Chaplet. You will realise that the Catholic Church is the only religion that was started by Christ. There are bound to be bad priest - and don’t forget Jesus came like a doctor to heel the sick and one of the apostles betrayed him. this is what has happened in the church - These priests betrayed the church but the Holy Father is adamant that the seminaries will be protected from any more men who are peodophiles are not getting in.

Thankyou America for your wonderful welcome to the HOly Father.

World Youth Day?! Wow! Won’t that be great. Catholic priests in charge of a stadium full of children.

This will be an exciting time for you — a terrific opportunity to listen, learn and share.

One thing I am surprised has not made the news is the number of American Catholic youth who will be attending World Youth Day in Australia this July. Our Holy Father will be there and I hope and pray he has the same impact on our youth as Pope John Paul II had.

Hopefully the US will be in line to host a WYD event again in the next decade or so. It is a truly a life-changing experience for our young people.