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Pope Trip Disappoints Boston Catholics

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Apr 14, 2008 6:00 am US/Central

Pope Trip Disappoints Boston Catholics

~ About Benedict XVI's Papacy And U.S. Visit

  Pope Benedict won't be coming to Boston on his first U.S. trip this week and that's left many local Catholics upset, CBS station WBZ-TV in Boston reports.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley said he's disappointed, but he told the Boston Herald that he also believes the visit will encourage American Catholics.

Benedict will visit New York and Washington on the six-day trip, which starts Tuesday. O'Malley will be spending time with Benedict throughout the trip

Boston was at the center of the clergy sex abuse scandal. Some have speculated the pope didn't want to highlight the scandal with a stop in Boston.

But O'Malley thinks the 81-year-old Benedict's age and the demands on him were bigger factors.

The Vatican has said Benedict will deliver a message of hope and seek to heal wounds from the scandal.

A group that gathered Sunday at St. James the Great Church in Wellesley, where parishioners have stood in vigil for more than 3 years, believe a papal visit to Boston would have been the best way to heal those wounds.

"I would have been glad to see the pope here," said Suzanne Hurley of The Council of Parishes.

"But I think he didn't want to be linked with what's going on here."

ALSO SEE:
~ U.S. Welcomes Pope Benedict XVI
~ Looking Back: Pope John Paul II's U.S. Visits
~ Pope Benedict XVI's Papacy Faces Modern World
~ Pope John Paul II Dies, Succeeded By Benedict XVI
~ More Papal Visit Coverage

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