Archbishop of Washington, DC Discusses Pope's Visit
(03 Apr 08 -RV) Preparations continue ahead of Pope Benedict XVI pastoral visit to
the United States later this month. The archbishop of Washington DC, the capital and
one of the cities that will host the Holy Father, Archbishop Donald Wuerl spoke with
us ahead of the visit. He says the mood of the people is one of increasing excitement
and expectation… I think there’s a great deal of anticipation, because, for
many, many of our young people, our young adults, there is a questioning going on
today, there is a seeking going on today for spiritual values, for some relationship
with God, even if they don’t always articulate it well. So I think, when the Pope
comes, people are not going to be looking for him to give specific answers, but what
they’re counting on is a re-enforcement of their faith, a re-enforcement of the understanding
[that] we do have a relationship with God, and that God is with us, and that our society,
our culture needs to recognize that, if we’re truly going to build a good and just
society, and I think the reason for the excitement is the Pope symbolizes, for the
whole world, and for our country, the spiritual response to life.