04/17/2008
Pope Benedict XVI has celebrated the first public Mass of his U.S. pilgrimage, praising the United States as a land of opportunity and hope.
But he has lamented Thursday that the country's promise has fallen short for blacks and American Indians.
Tens of thousands of worshippers have filled a stadium on a clear day.
They have cheered Benedict as he arrived in a white popemobile, standing in the back and waving.
Organizers say 46,000 people have attended, and the demand for tickets had doubled the supply.
The pope, wearing scarlet vestments, has led the service from an altar erected in the middle of the recently inaugurated baseball stadium. Rows of red-robed church leaders have joined him.
The pope has walked down from the altar to distribute Holy Communion near the end of Mass.
Submit this story to:
Digg
Del.icio.us
Technorati
