'B16' gets rock star welcome from US youngsters

by Karin Zeitvogel Sat Apr 19, 6:31 PM ET

NEW YORK (AFP) - Pope Benedict XVI got a rock star welcome Saturday when he visited a seminary outside New York to bless some 50 disabled children and their caregivers and attend a youth rally.

In the 40-acre (16 hectares) grounds of St Joseph Seminary, a huge crowd -- in which the average age was probably one-quarter that of the octogenarian pope -- had gathered to greet Benedict, who travelled to the suburb of Yonkers by motorcade after celebrating mass at New York's St Patrick's Cathedral.

Thousands of white and yellow handkerchiefs -- the colors of the Vatican -- waved vigorously above the young people's heads and each time the pope raised his hands to salute them, a roar of delight erupted from the young crowd.

The crowd had spent hours in the warm spring sun, their wait punctuated by pop songs belted out by singer Kelly Clarkson, winner of the first "American Idol" television talent search.

They wore official T-shirts, listing the venues of the pope's six-day visit to Washington and New York -- like a rock band tour souvenir shirt -- and others declaring the wearer to be "Property of Benedict XVI."

Yet more T-shirts tipped a hat to the soundbite generation, saying only "B16."

The white-haired pontiff, who had appeared tired during the morning mass at St Patrick's, was filled with renewed energy. A smile creased his face. He radiated happiness.

It was a welcome worthy of a rock star, and the pope warmed to it, descending to the foot of the stage to grasp hands -- to the delight of the crowd and the horror of secret service agents.

"This is not an easy time in which to be young," New York Archbishop Edward Egan said in a speech to welcome the pope, that was repeatedly interrupted by cheers and cries of "Benedetto" and "viva il papa."

"Attractions of much that is unworthy of brothers and sisters of Jesus abound; movies, Internet, TV ... are constantly calling young people away from what is holy. They need to hear another voice, the voice of the vicar of Christ," said Egan, bringing a huge cheer from the crowd.

An African-American girl and a white, red-haired boy offered the pope bread, rice, unleavened bread, and maize before the crowd broke into a spontaneous chant of "Ole, ole" -- more at home at a football match than at a papal gathering.

Benedict is on the penultimate day of a six-day visit to the United States, during which he has marked several papal firsts and celebrated his 81st birthday.

In honor of that, the crowd sang "Happy Birthday," in Benedict's native German.

Earlier, the New York Archdiocesan Deaf Choir "signed" a song for Benedict inside a building at the seminary, where the pontiff blessed several dozen children with disabilities and their caregivers.

The 81-year-old pontiff rose and applauded the choir of 15, accompanied vocally by the Cathedral of Saint Patrick Young Singers, after they had finished their song, "Take Lord, Receive."

"God has blessed you with life and with differing talents and gifts," Benedict said in a short speech to the crowd.

"Sometimes it is challenging to find a reason for what appears only as a difficulty to be overcome or even pain to be endured," the pope said.

"God's love ... points to a meaning and purpose for all human life," he said.