This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7356970.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pope tells of youth under Nazis Pope tells of youth under Nazis
(10 minutes later)
Pope Benedict XVI has spoken out for the first time about growing up under the "monster" of Nazism.Pope Benedict XVI has spoken out for the first time about growing up under the "monster" of Nazism.
Speaking at a youth rally in New York, he said his teenager years had been "marred by a sinister regime". Speaking at a youth rally in New York, he said his teenage years had been "marred by a sinister regime".
The Pope was a Hitler Youth member as a teen, usual for young Germans at the time, and was conscripted by the German army near the end of World War II.The Pope was a Hitler Youth member as a teen, usual for young Germans at the time, and was conscripted by the German army near the end of World War II.
Earlier, during a Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan he again condemned paedophile Catholic priests.Earlier, during a Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan he again condemned paedophile Catholic priests.
Pope Benedict's tour of the US is his first visit to the country since being elected head of the Catholic Church - it was the third anniversary of his elevation the papacy on Saturday and the event was formally commemorated with the Mass at St Patrick's.Pope Benedict's tour of the US is his first visit to the country since being elected head of the Catholic Church - it was the third anniversary of his elevation the papacy on Saturday and the event was formally commemorated with the Mass at St Patrick's.
Prisoner of warPrisoner of war
Later in the day he addressed a cheering crowd of 30,000 young people on the field of St Joseph's Seminary, in the New York suburb of Yonkers.Later in the day he addressed a cheering crowd of 30,000 young people on the field of St Joseph's Seminary, in the New York suburb of Yonkers.
Let us thank God that so many people of your generation are able to enjoy the liberties which have arisen from the extension of democracy and respect for human rights Pope Benedict XVILet us thank God that so many people of your generation are able to enjoy the liberties which have arisen from the extension of democracy and respect for human rights Pope Benedict XVI
As a teenager, the pope was forced to join the Hitler Youth and he was conscripted into the German army towards the end of World War II, serving briefly in an anti-aircraft corps.As a teenager, the pope was forced to join the Hitler Youth and he was conscripted into the German army towards the end of World War II, serving briefly in an anti-aircraft corps.
He deserted the German army towards the end of the war and was briefly held as a prisoner of war by the Allies in 1945.He deserted the German army towards the end of the war and was briefly held as a prisoner of war by the Allies in 1945.
After his release he studied theology and became a priest.After his release he studied theology and became a priest.
'Banished God''Banished God'
The Pope told the crowd his own years as a teenager had been "marred by a sinister regime that thought it had all the answers".The Pope told the crowd his own years as a teenager had been "marred by a sinister regime that thought it had all the answers".
"Its influence grew, infiltrating schools and civic bodies, as well as politics and even religion, before it was fully recognised for the monster it was," he said."Its influence grew, infiltrating schools and civic bodies, as well as politics and even religion, before it was fully recognised for the monster it was," he said.
"It banished God and thus became impervious to anything true and good."It banished God and thus became impervious to anything true and good.
"Let us thank God that so many people of your generation are able to enjoy the liberties which have arisen from the extension of democracy and respect for human rights.""Let us thank God that so many people of your generation are able to enjoy the liberties which have arisen from the extension of democracy and respect for human rights."
The Pope marked his third anniversary as head of the Church with a MassThe Pope marked his third anniversary as head of the Church with a Mass
The earlier Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan marked the third anniversary of his election as leader of the Roman Catholic church.The earlier Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan marked the third anniversary of his election as leader of the Roman Catholic church.
Pope Benedict was greeted by the Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, and the cathedral was filled with priests, deacons and members of religious orders.Pope Benedict was greeted by the Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, and the cathedral was filled with priests, deacons and members of religious orders.
A choir sang as the Pope walked down the large cathedral's central aisle. The congregation rose and applauded and some people leaned over to touch his robe or kiss his Fisherman's Ring.A choir sang as the Pope walked down the large cathedral's central aisle. The congregation rose and applauded and some people leaned over to touch his robe or kiss his Fisherman's Ring.
"I join you in praying that this will be a time of purification for each and every particular Church and religious community, a time for healing," the Pope said in his sermon, referring to the scandal of sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy."I join you in praying that this will be a time of purification for each and every particular Church and religious community, a time for healing," the Pope said in his sermon, referring to the scandal of sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy.
"I also encourage you to co-operate with your bishops who continue to work to effectively resolve this issue.""I also encourage you to co-operate with your bishops who continue to work to effectively resolve this issue."
'Christian morality''Christian morality'
More than 4,000 US Catholic clergy have been accused of sexually abusing minors since 1950.More than 4,000 US Catholic clergy have been accused of sexually abusing minors since 1950.
The Church has paid out more than $2bn (£1bn) in compensation and legal fees, most of it since the scandal erupted in 2002.The Church has paid out more than $2bn (£1bn) in compensation and legal fees, most of it since the scandal erupted in 2002.
POPE'S ITINERARY 15 Apr: Arrived 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; addressed Catholic University; interfaith meeting18 Apr: Addresses UN19 Apr: New York Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral20 Apr: Ground Zero visit; Yankee Stadium Mass Pope's tour: Reporter's diaryLatinos welcome Pope's wordsPOPE'S ITINERARY 15 Apr: Arrived 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; addressed Catholic University; interfaith meeting18 Apr: Addresses UN19 Apr: New York Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral20 Apr: Ground Zero visit; Yankee Stadium Mass Pope's tour: Reporter's diaryLatinos welcome Pope's words
Speaking out on the issue again during the Mass at St Patrick's, the Pope said the scandal had not only caused much damage to the victims of paedophile abuse, but had diminished the reputation of the church in US society.Speaking out on the issue again during the Mass at St Patrick's, the Pope said the scandal had not only caused much damage to the victims of paedophile abuse, but had diminished the reputation of the church in US society.
"A society which seems to have forgotten God and to resent even the most elementary demands of Christian morality," he said ."A society which seems to have forgotten God and to resent even the most elementary demands of Christian morality," he said .
The Vatican official in charge of reviewing sexual abuse claims against clergy worldwide said on Friday that the Church was considering changes to canon law governing the handling of such cases.The Vatican official in charge of reviewing sexual abuse claims against clergy worldwide said on Friday that the Church was considering changes to canon law governing the handling of such cases.
The official, Cardinal William Levada, did not specify the changes but said they would make it easier to remove clergy who had sexually abused children.The official, Cardinal William Levada, did not specify the changes but said they would make it easier to remove clergy who had sexually abused children.
The sexual abuse scandal has been a recurring theme in the Pope's visit.The sexual abuse scandal has been a recurring theme in the Pope's visit.
Addressing 40,000 people at a Washington stadium earlier in the week, he spoke of the issue before talking privately to a group of people who had been abused by priests.Addressing 40,000 people at a Washington stadium earlier in the week, he spoke of the issue before talking privately to a group of people who had been abused by priests.
On Sunday, he will lead prayers at the scene of the 9/11 attacks in New York and then celebrate Mass at Yankee Stadium before returning to Rome later on Sunday.On Sunday, he will lead prayers at the scene of the 9/11 attacks in New York and then celebrate Mass at Yankee Stadium before returning to Rome later on Sunday.


Were you at the service, or outside St Patrick's Cathedral today? Did you see the Pope touring the streets of New York? Send your comments and pictures using the form belowWere you at the service, or outside St Patrick's Cathedral today? Did you see the Pope touring the streets of New York? Send your comments and pictures using the form below
Name
Name