On a video replay of the pope's visit to Ground Zero, shot at a much better and closer angle, we were able to see the tearful faces of many of the 24 first-reponders, survivors, and families of survivors as they met Pope Benedict in the footprint of the north tower of the World Trade Center.
Following the those personal greetings, the pope also spoke individually with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York Gov. David Paterson, and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine.
Each of the 24 special guests were later invited to kneel and pray where the pope had prayed earlier, before a lighted candle and a pool of water, in a moving remembrance on what many people consider to be sacred ground since the remains of so many of those killed on Sept. 11, 2001, were never recovered.
-- Mary DeTurris Poust
DISQUS for OSV Daily Take
