Posted on 05/13/2010 9:43:52 AM PDT by NYer
Crowds converged on a vast esplanade in front of an imposing white basilica devoted to the Virgin Mary, their faith and enthusiasm apparently undimmed by the scandals over sexually abusive priests that have shaken the Church.
In an address to the masses, Benedict XVI alluded to the so-called 'Secrets of Fatima' – prophecies revealed to three Portuguese shepherd children when they witnessed a series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1917.
"One would be deluded to think that the prophetic mission of Fatima has been concluded," the German-born pontiff told pilgrims, without spelling out exactly what he meant.
He did say, however, at the start of his four day trip that he believed the so-called Third Secret, which was only revealed by the Vatican in 2000, had foretold the suffering the Church is enduring as a result of the sex abuse scandals.
Looking tired and speaking with a hoarse voice, the 83-year-old Pope told the crowd that "in seven years you will return here to celebrate the centenary of the first visitation of Our Lady" – pointedly omitting to say whether he himself expected to attend the event.
Benedict criticised people for turning their backs on religion as a result of "the petty egoisms of nation, race, ideology, group and individual." Thousands of pilgrims camped out overnight in tents in the gardens of the basilica, with others queuing for hours in pouring rain for places at the front of the esplanade.
Mary McNamara, 62, from Cork, Ireland, said she had been shocked and saddened by the revelations of paedophile priests in her home country but still held the Pope in high regard.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
"I think that Christians wanted to send a message to say that the Pope ... is very much loved."
Pope Benedict XVI walks to the altar during a mass at the Catholic shrine of Fatima in central Portugal, May 13, 2010.
He is “very much loved” indeed!
Hey NYER I hear something on CNN International you know how hostile they are
There is report from Vatican that Cathoic priest applicataion are up 10% mostly in Asia and Africa Euros are still down
That would make perfect sense. You have good bishops in Asia and Africa who set the example of devotion to those christians who are persecuted for their faith. In Europe, they have adopted secularism as their religion. There is no persecution to drive people into the arms of a loving God. They have elevated themselves to that position.
I try find the article let me get my butt over to BBC world news
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