Apr 14, 2008 8:54 pm US/Eastern
Archbishop Donald Wuerl Prepares For Papal Visit
WASHINGTON (KDKA) ―
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Archbishop Donald Wuerl says he's exicted for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Washington, DC.
KDKA
Preparations are underway for an historic visit to the United States by Pope Benedict XVI.
During his six-day visit, he will meet with President George W. Bush in Washington, deliver a speech to the United Nations and pray at Ground Zero.
One of the first people to greet the pontiff will be Archbishop Donald Wuerl. On Monday, he inspected Nationals Park and the progress they're making in transforming it for the Pope's mass on Thursday.
One of the challenges is communion for 45,000 to 48,000 people in less than 20 minutes. Archbishop Wuerl says they will be practicing.
But despite the hectic pace to get everything ready, Wuerl says he's excited.
"It really is a moment of extraordinary joy. There's an enormous amount of enthusiasm that you get caught up in when the Pope is coming and he's coming to our town," he said.
Compared to Pope John Paul II who was known for his charisma, Pope Benedict has been seen by some as shy and more rigid in his thinking.
But Archbishop Wuerl says Americans will see something different.
"He is a person who speaks with such a grasp - an intellectual grasp of his message," he said. "But he does it in a way that he comes across as a pastor, he comes across as a shepherd of souls.
"I think we're going to be so pleasantly surprised that he is a great pastor."
The archbishop believes the Pope will bring the message that affirms the faith of Catholics in America. He wants to show the Pope the face of the Church in our country - a picture that represents many people but together by one belief.
"I want him to see how vibrant the Church is, how alive it is in faith," Wuerl said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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