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Thousands celebrate US papal mass Thousands celebrate US papal Mass
(20 minutes later)
Pope Benedict XVI has been celebrating an open-air mass at the Nationals stadium in Washington before more than 40,000 on the second day of his visit. Pope Benedict XVI has been celebrating an open-air Mass at the Nationals stadium in Washington DC with more than 40,000 people.
This is the first such event organised for the Pope's six-day visit to the United States.
He spoke of the sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic clergy in the US, saying no words of his could describe the pain and harm inflicted.He spoke of the sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic clergy in the US, saying no words of his could describe the pain and harm inflicted.
He said efforts must continue to provide "loving pastoral attention" to those who suffered.
Later, the Pope will hold an inter-faith meeting.Later, the Pope will hold an inter-faith meeting.
On the subject of child abuse, he said: "No words of mine can describe the pain and harm inflicted by such abuse." On the subject of child abuse, he said: "No words of mine can describe the pain and the harm inflicted by the sexual abuse of minors.
"It is important that those who have suffered be given loving pastoral attention. Nor can I adequately describe the damage that has occurred within the community of the Church."
POPE'S ITINERARY 15 Apr: Arrives at Andrews Air Force Base16 Apr: White House luncheon; talks with Mr Bush. Meeting with US bishops and prayer service in Washington (evening)17 Apr: Washington Mass; addresses Catholic University; interfaith meeting18 Apr: Addresses UN19 Apr: New York Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral20 Apr: Ground Zero visit; Yankee Stadium Mass Profile: Pope Benedict XVIPope's tour: Reporter's diaryLatinos welcome Pope's wordsPOPE'S ITINERARY 15 Apr: Arrives at Andrews Air Force Base16 Apr: White House luncheon; talks with Mr Bush. Meeting with US bishops and prayer service in Washington (evening)17 Apr: Washington Mass; addresses Catholic University; interfaith meeting18 Apr: Addresses UN19 Apr: New York Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral20 Apr: Ground Zero visit; Yankee Stadium Mass Profile: Pope Benedict XVIPope's tour: Reporter's diaryLatinos welcome Pope's words
He also spoke of a time of "great promise" as the "human family in many ways draws closer together". Efforts to protect children must continue, he said.
But at the same time he said there were worrying signs of social breakdown. For the third time in as many days, he has done what many Catholics have been asking for years - he has condemned and publicly accepted full responsibility for the crimes of sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests in the United States, says the BBC's David Willey who is travelling with the Pope during his visit.
"We see clear signs of a disturbing breakdown in the very foundations of society, signs of alienation and polarisation on the part of many of our contemporaries, increased violence, a weakening of the moral sense, a coarsening of social relations, and a growing forgetfulness of Christ and God." Many members of the congregation were immigrants from various countries in central and South America and they cheered the Pope wildly when he added some remarks in fluent Spanish, praising the vitality of their Christian faith.
To cheers, he went on to speak in Spanish, reflecting the large Latino presence in the congregation. Before Pope Benedict arrived here, polls showed that many Americans knew little or nothing about him.
Gates at the Washington sports stadium opened before dawn to allow people to trickle through stringent security measures ahead of the mass at 1000 (1400 GMT). Those who have watched him so far have found a German-born Pope who speaks excellent English, appears vigorous for his 81 years, and displays a keen sense of many of the critical issues facing his 65-million-member American flock, our correspondent adds.
Gates at the Washington sports stadium opened before dawn to allow people to trickle through stringent security measures ahead of the Mass at 1000 (1400 GMT).
Among the first to arrive was Barbara Loh, who told the Associated Press agency: "I've been Catholic all my life and... my dream has always been to see the Pope."Among the first to arrive was Barbara Loh, who told the Associated Press agency: "I've been Catholic all my life and... my dream has always been to see the Pope."
Controversial meeting
On Wednesday, the pontiff met President George W Bush at the White House.On Wednesday, the pontiff met President George W Bush at the White House.
Speaking later to bishops, he criticised their handling of child sex scandals that have rocked the Roman Catholic Church in the US.Speaking later to bishops, he criticised their handling of child sex scandals that have rocked the Roman Catholic Church in the US.
Controversial meeting
HAVE YOUR SAYPope Benedict has not done enough to move the Church past the scandalHariprasad, IndiaSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYPope Benedict has not done enough to move the Church past the scandalHariprasad, IndiaSend us your comments
After the mass, the Pope is due to meet leaders from other faiths at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Centre in Washington. After the Mass, the Pope is due to meet leaders from other faiths at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Centre in Washington.
That gathering has attracted controversy.That gathering has attracted controversy.
Sikhs have refused to attend after the secret service insisted ceremonial daggers be removed.Sikhs have refused to attend after the secret service insisted ceremonial daggers be removed.
One Muslim group has also pulled out, saying the Pope's statements have given the impression that he is intolerant of Islam.One Muslim group has also pulled out, saying the Pope's statements have given the impression that he is intolerant of Islam.
Other Muslim leaders said they were attending out of respect for the Catholic Church, but admitted they too had some concerns.Other Muslim leaders said they were attending out of respect for the Catholic Church, but admitted they too had some concerns.
Muslims around the world were upset when the Pope in 2006 quoted a medieval text that said Islam was violent.Muslims around the world were upset when the Pope in 2006 quoted a medieval text that said Islam was violent.
Relations were upset again when the Pope baptised an Egyptian Muslim known to be a fierce critic of Islam at a high-profile ceremony in the Vatican on the Easter weekend.Relations were upset again when the Pope baptised an Egyptian Muslim known to be a fierce critic of Islam at a high-profile ceremony in the Vatican on the Easter weekend.