WASHINGTON -- The new Nationals Park baseball stadium was transformed into an open air cathedral yesterday as Pope Benedict XVI celebrated an inspirational Mass with nearly 46,000 diverse congregants.

For the third consecutive day since leaving the Vatican, the pope discussed the sex-abuse scandal that has rocked the American Catholic Church.

Benedict also held what is believed to be the first meeting of a pope with victims of clergy sexual abuse, The Associated Press reported. After the Mass, he met individually with five or six people and said he would pray for them, their families and all victims of clergy abuse.

"I acknowledge the pain, which the church in America has experienced as a result of the sexual abuse of minors," he said with emotion during his homily.

Those suffering must be given pastoral attention and measures must be taken to ensure that children grow up in a safe environment.

"Yesterday I spoke with your bishops about this. Today I encourage each of you to do what you can to foster healing and reconciliation, and to assist those who have been hurt."

Monsignor Walter Barrett Jr., pastoral administrator of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Richmond, wasn't surprised the pope spoke about the scandal.

"I sensed he would address the topic. It's one that has hurt the church and it will take many, many years for that wound to heal," Barrett said.

The Most Rev. Francis X. DiLorenzo, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, said in a statement that priests with credible allegations of sexual abuse of young people have been permanently removed from priestly ministry.

Benedict emphasized the need for Catholics to reaffirm their faith and touched on the church's role of uniting different immigrant groups "within the unity of the Catholic faith." He spoke part of the Mass in Spanish to a sizable Latino contingent.

He also urged stronger Catholic instruction for young people.

"The fidelity and courage with which the church in this country will respond to the challenges raised by an increasingly secular and materialistic culture will depend in large part upon your own fidelity in handing on the treasure of our Catholic faith," the pope said.

Attendees praised the Mass for its beauty, power and relevance.

"The ceremonial parts were better done than I expected for a stadium Mass," said Susan Bledsoe of Fort Ashby, W.Va. "I can't believe they made this big place feel holy."

Ryan Perry of Woodbridge understood the pope's appeal.

"Americans being so separated from Europe as they are, I think it's easy to see why people would want to come out to an event like this, just to get as close as we can to see the Holy Father, to have him come and know that we do love him just as much as people in Rome do," Perry said.

"It was a definite goose-bump moment," said David Storm of Charlottesville. "You see the video, you see the popemobile, but when you could first glimpse him over the outfield fence -- you got goose bumps."

A large circular mat with the image of the papal coat of arms covered home plate and the yellow and white papal flag fluttered in left field.

Held in the center of the baseball field on an enormous gold and white altar, the 80-minute Mass included 14 cardinals, 250 bishops, 1,300 priests and four choirs totaling 570 singers. Opera stars Placido Domingo and Denyce Graces also sang.

Communion was distributed in about 30 minutes to anyone who wanted it by 300 priests and deacons, including 32 deacons from the Diocese of Richmond.

"I wept, it was just beautiful," said Deacon Gordon Cartwright of Lynchburg, who gave communion to the disabled. "Just to see so many people gathered in one place believing in the same faith."

Before the crowd shifted into a reverential mood as the Mass got under way, it was outwardly jubilant when the pope entered, with people leaping to their feet cheering and waving tiny Vatican flags as he rode a lap around the stadium in his popemobile.

The pope's theme, "Christ Our Hope," was displayed on an array of items by vendors, from magnets and baseball caps to matted artwork of the pontiff's profile and three different type of rosaries.

But for many, the draw was the once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity to celebrate Mass with the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

And it was done with a Mass that acknowledged the country's diversity, Barrett said.

"It was a beautiful, ideal expression of Catholicism. All cultures were affirmed and represented even in the music and singing," he said.
Contact Robin Farmer at (804) 649-6312 or rfarmer@timesdispatch.com.

Neil H. Simon with Media General's Washington bureau contributed to this report.