Ground Zero, New York, New York–Pope Benedict XVI knelt and prayed at Ground Zero in Manhattan on Sunday Morning. Remaining still in silence with nothing on his head but a white zuchetto and dressed in a white overcoat, Pope Benedict clearly showed reverence to the legacy of the site of the worst single act of terrorism the world has ever known.

He then stood and lit what Catholics would recognize as a Paschal Candle before him. Catholics recognize this as a symbol of resurrection. The crowd remained still as the Pope expressed reverence to this place so close to the hearts of the American Citizens because of the great tragedy there.

He prayed for the service personnel, the first-responders; fire-fighters, police officers. emergency service workers and Port Authority Personnel.

Blessing the space with Holy water, he gave the traditional blessing calling for God to shed his kindness and peace upon those present. which included Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

He also greeted leaders of the Fire Department, Police and Port Authority who reverenced his office by kissing his ring.

It was a great contrast in many ways. A world reknown religious leader of the world’s largest Christian Faith visits a place destroyed by the demands of a world reknown radical religious leader of a fringe element of the Islam faith. Further, the silence of those in attendance was deafening with only the sound of single cello played behind the scenes.

Among those in attendance were various leaders of the city service personnel and of course political leaders such as Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York.

Many of those in attendance were in tears as the Pope returned to his Pope Mobile and silently rode off into the city.

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