Pope Benedict XVI turned Yankee Stadium into the biggest Roman Catholic church in the world yesterday with a Mass that saw more than 57,000 worshippers giving him a loud, joyous farewell at the end of his US trip.
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“We love the pope!” chanted the crowd as they waved yellow and white papal flags.
Holding a staff capped by a cross, Benedict emerged from the dugout as an orchestra played Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” and the crowd applauded wildly.
After making his way to a spectacular purple, white and yellow-fringed altar specially built for the 21/2-hour Mass, the pope was formally greeted by Archbishop Edward Cardinal Egan.
“Most Holy Father – welcome to New York!” Egan said.
Benedict, in his homily, spoke of America, as he has often during his historic six-day trip.
“From a small flock . . . the church in America has been built up in fidelity to the twin commandment of love of God and love of neighbor,” said the pope.
“In this land of freedom and opportunity, the church has united a widely diverse flock in the profession of the faith,” said Benedict, who spoke first in English and then again in Spanish.
The crowd interrupted him with roaring applause just once, when Benedict mentioned “the most defenseless of all human beings, the unborn child in the mother’s womb.”
Cynthia Savoid, 56, of Bridgeport, Conn., said, “It was a lifelong dream for me to see the pope . . . it was awesome.
“His message left me with a feeling of hope and strengthened by faith. Everyone came together as one. And it shows that he’s a true leader.”
Benedict’s Mass at the House that Ruth Built was one of the most widely anticipated events when his first papal trip to America was announced, particularly because it was the one open to by far the most people.
That anticipation grew to a fever pitch yesterday morning, when people started arriving at around 8 a.m., more than six hours before the pope strode out onto the fabled infield.
When the doors opened at 9:30 a.m., there were lines three blocks long waiting to enter Yankee Stadium.
Many people stood outside holding hand-drawn signs that said, “We need tickets.”
The scene outside resembled a religious-themed street fair, with vendors hawking pins, posters and key chains bearing the image of Benedict.
“We’re so thrilled to see the pope,” said Carol Digirolamo, 51, of The Bronx. “We just lost our father, and we’re hoping he brings peace in our lives. Just being in his presence will bring us that peace.”
Henry Hottor, 32, a biology grad student from Omaha, Neb., said, “There is a spirit working through him, and I want to feel that spirit. I’m here to hear his message of hope, because we’re all going astray in this world.”
As the hour of the Mass approached, the mood outside the Stadium became more excited, with people waving flags of their native countries – including many Latin American nations – and screaming happily.
When Benedict’s limo pulled up to the Stadium, a group of people nearby erupted in joy and shouted in Italian, “Papa!” with many of them waving their hands and jumping up and down.
“He is the voice of God, and I feel so grateful to be able to hear his message,” said Jennifer Kelly, 21, a missionary student from Rhode Island.
Additional reporting by Leonardo Blair