This collection of the addresses and homilies given by Pope Benedict XVI during his April 2008 visit to the United States, contains speeches on the academic side, such as the speech to Catholic college presidents and other educators, as well as others more easily understood, like the various homilies he gave at Masses during his trip. The addresses vary in length - some are quite short; others are several pages long.
Some commentators and critics of Pope Benedict XVI thought that he would come to the United States and scold people. Instead, he conveyed his message through calm and sober words. Would he address the issue of the sexual abuse scandal in the Church? He did, touching on it in a way that was apologetic but also declared strongly that such abuse has no place in the Church or in the world. His words were consoling, and gestures like meeting with abuse victims were reassuring - he knew what was going on, he was aware of what had happened.
After an introduction by Fr. Lawrence Boadt, CSP, and a schedule of the pope’s visit, the actual speeches and homilies follow. Some black-and-white photographs from the trip, most provided by the Catholic News Service, enliven the text. Three reflections are included at the end of the book, delivered by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican’s ambassador (nuncio) to the United Nations, Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., and Cardinal Edward Egan of New York.
Pope Benedict is an intellectual, and it shows in the addresses and homilies he gave during his trip to the U.S., words that are yet worthy of reflection and prayer at times. This wonderful keepsake of the Benedict XVI’s first visit as pope to the U.S. is highly recommended to all who want to remember this occasion or read the pope’s words.