Pictures: Pope Benedict Prays at Ground Zero

Words below, but images first:

Read the Vatican's account of the pope's visit to Ground Zero, along with the text of his prayer, here.

AmP Pictures: Papal Mass in Washington DC

A perfect day....

A packed house to greet the Pope. Click here for a larger version.

This is my view of the papal altar. I won't lie. They were good tickets.

The altar and local crucifix used for the Mass. Look at the seven candles!

I had to include this: every concession bought in the stadium that day rang up as "Pope Food".

Deacons conduct a pre-Mass planning session. They were placed at each level of the stadium to expedite the distribution of Communion, a very prudent and efficient way to do this on such a large scale.

And of course, what we're all here for: Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass.

A few more images on the AmP Flickr album.

Photos: A Rainy Easter in St. Peter's Square

Selected from the photostream:






[sources: AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito; AP Photo/Andrew Medichini; AFP/Pool/Alessandra Tarantino]

Photos: Good Friday Papal Liturgy

Selected from the photostream:



[sources: REUTERS/Dario Pignatelli (VATICAN); AP Photo/Claudio Peri, Pool]

Picture: Vector Pope Benedict

Easily the strangest artistic rendering of Pope Benedict I've come across.


And considering the random nature of the internet, that's impressive.

P.S. I don't much care for it, but can you imagine seeing this on a highschooler's shirt?

Ph/t: Phatmass user "Ash Wednesday."

Photo post: CUA prepares for the Pope to Visit

The Catholic University of America campus continues to prepare for the pope's upcoming visit on April 17th.

Two weeks ago, the daily Masses were held upstairs in the main church instead of below in the crypt church because the lighting fixtures were being updated. Pope Benedict will be praying vespers with the assembled U.S. bishops in the crypt church during his visit.

Rumor also has it that the side entrance to the Basilica of the National Shrine is having work done because the pope will be using those steps at one point.

Basically, if the Pope is going to use or see it - time for a facelift.

The CUA student-run newspaper had a somewhat acerbic comment about the construction:

"Word is, the side of the architecture building is being renovated because Pope Benedict will make his way down that alley during his visit to campus in April. The Pryz Great Room is also getting an upgrade. At this point, we would like to request that the Holy Father's route be adapted so that he also swings by some other ugly parts of campus that could use some sprucing up. In fact, let's just have him do a quick lap around the entire campus. We're sure he's up to it."

I don't quite get why the author felt the need to gloss what is otherwise an informative tid-bit with comments like "We're sure he's up to it."

Anyway, below are some photos I took showing the areas of campus that are getting attention.

These images have all been posted in their full-size versions on the AmP Flickr page.

The stairs which are being refurbishing for the pope's visit:

The same stairs viewed from below:
While I was in the neighborhood, the Basilica veiled in fog:
The exterior of the Pryzbola center, where Pope Benedict will talk to Catholic educators:
The back of the architecture building where Pope Benedict will allegedly walk:
A benefit of this path is that it gives the pope a view of the CUA law school:
I doubt the campus will be this empty on the day of the pope's visit:
... but it sure makes for a beautiful shot in the meantime.

Other posts on the pope's visit are available here. More posts in the works!

Picture: Just Magnificent!

A truly awesome photograph (with post production):

[source: Flickr user "bluejeans2100"]

Picture: Taco Bell's Lenten Offerings

Classic: "Great Taste During Lent"

Or, alternatively, "Meat-Free For Friday Fun!"

Ph/t: Reader "Katherine". Uploaded to the AmP Flickr page (submissions welcome!).

Picture: Don't Mess with Cardinal Bertone

Not that you were planning on it, or anything.

[source: AP Photo/Javier Galeano]

Pic: As seen on Georgetown's Campus

And yes, it's real.

[source: Flickr user "buschap"]

Papist Pic: This Kansan Has It Right

Very Cool.

(note: if you want me to come across your picture, tag it "americanpapist" on flickr.)

[source: Flickr user "tentonbricks"]

Pictures: Christmas with the Pope

Midnight Christmas Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, in images:

Related: "Pope Welcomes Christmas at Midnight Mass"

[photo credit: REUTERS/Max Rossi, AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito, AFP/Vincenzo Pinto]

Photo: Real "Precious Feet" of premature infant

In case you ever doubted those "Precious Feet" pins:

RNPS PICTURES OF THE YEAR: This handout image from October 24, 2006, shows the world's most premature living baby, Amillia Sonja Taylor's, feet held in contrast with adult hands, just after her birth at Baptist Children's Hospital in Miami, Florida. Taylor, only slightly longer than a ballpoint pen at birth was due to be sent home in the coming days from a Florida hospital after four months of neonatal intensive care, the hospital said on February 20, 2007. REUTERS/Baptist Health South Florida/Handout (UNITED STATES)

(Amazing, but remember, they come even smaller.)

Pictures from the Consistory of Cardinals

Photo feed from the Associated Press viewable here.

CurtJester is holding a caption contest for one here.

Picture: Eastern Liturgical Pomp in Philadelphia

I was impressed:

"On Thursday, September 27, 2007 the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of the world celebrated a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia to open the first synod ever held outside the territory of Ukraine. The Ukrainian bishops are meeting in synod from September 27th through October 6, 2007 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania." [source: Eparchy of Stamford]

Pic: Finally, someone who knows how to meet the Pope

He is, after all, the Vicar of Christ....

"Pope Benedict XVI greets Central African Republic President Francois Bozize

on his arrival during their private audience at the Vatican"

[photo: REUTERS/Chris Helgren (VATICAN)]

Picture: The human dimension of "women priests"

You sometimes will hear proponants talk about the wonderful benefits that would result at liturgies if the Church allowed women priests.

Now, I'm not claiming that there aren't benefits to seeing someone who appears like this lady at a liturgy. Benefits like appreciating beauty, for instance. But frankly, I don't think this is the kind of beauty I should be specifically appreciating during the liturgy. After all, it can be hard enough to keep a firm custody of the eyes at Mass, especially nowadays.

In seriousness, how revealing (pun intended) is this picture?

The website of Swedish company Mariasjodin which markets this line of "casual priest" clothing reads (with a rough internet translation): "Functional and tidy ... for another generation of clergyman [ironically]."

Ph/t: Diogenes.