In Phone Call, Pope Congratulates Obama

President-elect Barack Obama returned a phone call to Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday after his election to the presidency last week.

Obama phoned the pope “to thank the pope for his telegram, his congratulations” on the election said Rev. Federico Lombardi, chief spokesman for Pope Benedict XVI, in a CathNews article.

Pope Benedict XVI had sent a telegram to Obama last Wednesday, congratulating him on his election as the 44 President of the United States, as well as being the first African American ever elected. The pope also said he would keep Obama and the U.S. in his prayers.

The phone call between the pope and Obama was part of the “normal exchanges” between a new American President and other world leaders, according to a TimesOnline article.

The same day, a senior Vatican official made clear the Holy See would oppose any changes by Obama in U.S. policy on embryonic stem cell research, according to the TimesOnline article. There was no exchange on the issue, however, between the pope and the president elect.

“All of us are hoping that Obama will be able to meet the expectations and hopes directed at him,” said Lombardi in a statement.

Lombardi said he hoped Obama would “work for the cause of rights and justice, finding suitable ways to promote peace in the world, fostering people’s development and dignity while respecting essential human and spiritual values.”

American clerics in the Catholic Church attacked Obama’s running mate, Joe Biden, a Roman Catholic, because of his stance on abortion during the campaign. Neither the pope nor Lombardi mentioned Biden in the telegram or phone call.

Biden will become the highest ranking Roman Catholic in American government since former president John F. Kennedy. He will also become the first Catholic vice president in American history.

Pope’s Chair, Hat on Public Display This Fall

University Archives has prepared an exhibit, “Together in Faith: The Pope Visits Catholic University,” to commemorate Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the University. The exhibit will be on display in McMahon Hall starting Monday.

Some items included in the exhibit are the papal chair, designed by architecture students that was used during Mass at Nationals Stadium, the various t-shirts created during the visit and gifts Pope Benedict gave to Rev. David M. O’Connell, University President, including the pope’s papal zucchetto.

“Fr. O’Connell wanted to not only preserve the pope’s visit, but to display it,” said assistant records manager Leslie Knoblauch. “We also wanted students and staff to see it locally, and that’s why it will be moving around.”

The exhibit focuses on three themes: the preparations for the visit, the student involvement and the days of the pope’s visit, April 15-17, 2008.

“I didn’t want it to just include labels that said, ‘Here’s the pope’s hat’,” said Knoblauch. “I want people to get a true feel for the visit all the preparation that went into it.”

The exhibit also includes several of the surviving street banners that hung from light posts around campus. Over 60 percent of the banners were stolen after the pope’s visit, according to Knoblauch.

Knoblauch hopes more people will be able to see the exhibit as it changes locations.

“Our goal is to give those who were not there a feel for what the visit was like and to also bring back memories to all those who were involved with the visit,” said Knoblauch.

The exhibit opened this summer in The Columbus School of Law and will be on display at several locations on campus this fall, including the Pryzbla Center from September 20 to October 19.

Professors Receive Canonical Missions, Two Administrators Get Award From Pope

Several University professors received their canonical mission, or imperative to reflect in their teachings the views of the Catholic Church, on Thursday.

The mission, handed to University professors by Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of the diocese of Washington D.C., allowed several teachers to teach here at the University. Non-Catholics received a venia docendi.

Wuerl presented Frank G. Persico, vice president for University Relations and Chief of Staff and Craig W. Parker, associate vice president and general counsel with the Benemerenti Medal.  Established by Pope Gregory XVI in 1832, the Benemerenti Medal is given to those who have excellent service to the Catholic Church. The word itself means “to a well deserving person.”

“In honoring Frank and Craig,” O’Connell said, “Our Holy Father has also honored The Catholic University of America and the lives of so many faculty, staff and students whom they have served over these many years.”
Pope Benedict XVI has also conferred papal honors upon Persico and Parker.

Catholics receiving their canonical mission were Joshua C. Benson, David Alan Bosworth, Sister Mary Ann Clarahan, R.S.M, Helen Margdaga Robert  Miller and Chad C. Pecknold. Tarmo Toom and Michael Rohlf received venia docendi.

Video: The Pope Arriving Via Motorcade

Meaghan Byrnes, our Editor-at-Large, was able to capture some video of the pope arriving via motorcade this afternoon at The Catholic University of America.

Crowd Filling In On Lawn - 2 Hours 15 Minutes and Counting

It’s a hot day out here, and some of the expected crowd may be relaxing inside until Pope Benedict XVI’s arrival draws closer. Chase McAline is inside the Great Room of the Pryzbyla center, and Alex Lorman and Stephanie Cole are on their way back from Mass at National’s Stadium. Take Note, the student a capella group, is warming up for their performance, set to begin at 2:45 p.m

Stolen Vehicle on John McCormack

Security around Catholic University was tested today when DC police officers and Secret Service discovered that a stolen vehicle had been parked on John McCormack Road, which borders the west side of campus. This afternoon students reported watching authorities with bomb sniffing dogs inspect the vehicle and even take fingerprints off the door handle. In the end it seems like there was no threat, but the police are seriously looking into every threat there is.

Students!! Remember John McCormack, while currently open to traffic, is closed for parking. You can park in the DuFour Lot further down John McCormack road.

Catholic University Welcomes Pope on YouTube

A ten minute video posted on YouTube welcomes the pontiff to CUA. It features Father O’Connell and the CUA Cheerleaders, among many others.

Video from the Theological College Lawn Today

Ryan J. Reilly was able to capture some video of the crowd today! The crowd danced and sang while they waited for the pontiff to arrive!

The Pope at CUA Blog Wishes Pope Benedict XVI a Happy Birthday

The staff at The Pope at CUA blog hasn’t forgotten that it’s your birthday Pope Benedict XVI. We hope that you enjoyed your 81st birthday here in the United States and that it wasn’t too hectic of a day for you.

Several Kids sing Happy Birthday to the Pope while waiting for his arrival to the Basilica

Video Courtesy of Tower Editor-at-Large Meaghan Byrnes

Benedict Benefits Brookland’s Brooks

While Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the Basilica may have been a traffic issue for some in the Brookland community, restaurants like Colonel Brook’s Tavern at 9th & Monroe were bustling with spectators leaving campus. At dinnertime, the line was out the door. (Picture and info courtesy of editor at large Meaghan Byrnes).

The great thing about blogging, you can get away with cheesy headlines like this one.

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