Pope presides over Mass for thousands at Nationals ballpark

Pope Benedict XVI today presided over the first open-air Mass of his trip to the United States and urged Christian renewal through loyalty to God as a way to confront troubled times.

Speaking in Nationals Park, a sports cathedral more suited to the cheers and jeers of baseball than the sounds of sacred music and sermons, Benedict also saluted the importance of immigrants and again offered reconciliation in the wake of the sexual abuse scandal that has rocked his church.

But it was the message of hope and rebirth that took center stage as Benedict told 46,000 faithful that an enthusiastic and active Roman Catholic Church is needed to deal with a complex and often troubled society.

“Who can deny that the present moment is a crossroads, not only for the church in America but also for society as a whole,” the scholarly Benedict said in his homily.

“It is a time of great promise, as we see the human family in many ways drawing closer together and becoming ever more interdependent,” he said.

“Yet, at the same time, we see clear signs of a disturbing breakdown in the very foundations of society: signs of alienation, anger and polarization 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 God.”

The pontiff said he was confident that the “profound harmony of faith and reason” will empower Catholics to confront urgent issues that shape the future of American society.

“Let us trust in the Spirit’s power to inspire conversion, to heal every wound, to overcome every division and to inspire new life and freedom,” the pope said. “How much we need these gifts!”

For the third day, the pope addressed the clergy sexual abuse crisis that has shaken the Catholic Church, again urging healing and reconciliation among those who have been hurt.

“No words of mine could describe the pain and harm inflicted by such abuse,” the pope said.

Benedict spoke in a bright spring sunshine as a banner, proclaiming the official theme, “Christ Our Hope,” stirred in the breeze.

After two days of pomp and protocol, this morning’s focus was on Benedict’s role as spiritual teacher for the faithful. Later he will address Catholic educators at the Catholic University of America. He will also meet with leaders of other faiths at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center.

The pope spoke of the importance of immigration to the growth and future of the Roman Catholic Church in America. Switching to Spanish at the end of the homily, he told Latino immigrants that God calls on them to continue contributing to the spreading of their faith.

“Do not become defeated by pessimism, inertia or problems,” he said.

“The church in the United States, taking into its heart so many of its immigrant children, has grown thanks also to the vitality of the testimony of faith by Spanish-speaking faithful,” he said.

“The church expects a great deal from you. Do not disappoint in your generous gift.”

The pontiff arrived at the stadium in the popemobile around 9:30 a.m. EDT. Surrounded by security guards, his vehicle traveled around the perimeter of the ball field as the crowd erupted in cheers.

Parishioners began arriving hours earlier, crowding the subway before dawn. Vendors hawked souvenirs, flags and buttons.

The rising sun illuminated the colors of the faith. Plumed hats denoted the Knights of Columbus. Clerics wearing bright red robes bustled in formation around the field. Today’s ceremony was the first non-sporting event to be held in the stadium, which opened for its first Major League Baseball season this year.

The altar was built in what is normally the outfield, and the home plate area was decorated with the symbols of the church and archdiocese.

It took more than 300 clerics more than 20 minutes to distribute the host to those taking Communion.

As he left, the pope kissed a baby, touched a few foreheads and shook hands as he worked his way through the surging crowd. Several times his security guards pushed people back to keep a clear route for the pontiff.

michael.muskal@latimes.com

tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

Wilkinson reported from Washington and Muskal from Los Angeles.