Pope Benedict XVI processed into St. Patrick’s Cathedral for a historic Mass yesterday morning, blessing the 19th-century landmark’s interior with holy water as he was greeted with a standing ovation by a sea of the faithful.
Flanked by Secret Service agents, the pope walked up the main aisle of the church on his way to the altar as nuns clutched at his robes. The celebration began with an introduction by Edward Cardinal Egan.
“Please know that we clergy and religious together pledge to you our loyalty and love,” said Egan, whose Archdiocese of New York is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.
Nearly 3,000 clergy and dignitaries, including former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, attended the solemn Mass, in which the pontiff again addressed the priest sex-abuse scandal that has plagued Catholic churches during the past few years.
“I simply wish to assure you, dear priests and religious, of my spiritual closeness as you strive to respond with Christian hope to the continuing challenges that this situation presents,” said the pope, who spoke in English, Spanish, German and Cantonese during the ceremony.
He also called attention to St. Patrick’s significance as an anchor of faith to many groups in the Big Apple.
“The spires of St. Patrick’s Cathedral are dwarfed by the skyscrapers of the Manhattan skyline, yet in the heart of this busy metropolis, they are a vivid reminder of the constant yearning of the human spirit to rise to God,” he said.
Giuliani raised eyebrows when he received communion, breaking with church doctrine that forbids divorced and remarried Catholics from receiving communion, but said that he was not uncomfortable with the move.
Yesterday’s celebration kicked off when the pontiff stepped out of a black limousine and waved to the crowd of 5,000 gathered outside the cathedral that serves as a symbol of the Roman Catholic faith in America.
Outside the church, Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly shook hands with Benedict, who presided at the first papal Mass in the cathedral.
Thousands of faithful endured long lines just to get near the Mass.
Linda Schmidt, of Brooklyn, arrived outside the cathedral at 6 a.m. to get a glimpse of the Holy Father.
“It’s a wonderful experience. It’s overwhelming, his presence here at St. Patrick’s,” said Schmidt.