Pontiff leads mass for 20,000 in sports stadium
(10 May 2009) SHOTLIST 1. Wide of crowd in stadium 2. Wide of popemobile entering stadium 3. Mid of popemobile driving inside stadium 4. Jordanian flags waving 5. Mid of popemobile, pope waving at crowd 6. Wide of crowd 7. Close Benedict XVI waving from popemobile 8. Zoom out from cross being carried in procession to altar 9. Benedict in procession, blessing people 10. Pan of crowd 11. Side of Benedict blessing people 12. Zoom out of crowd 13. SOUNDBITE (English) Pope Benedict XVI "The Catholic community here is deeply touched by the difficulties and uncertainties which affect the people of the Middle East. May you never forget the great dignity which derives from your Christian heritage, or fail to sense the loving solidarity of all your brothers and sisters in the church throughout the world." 14. Pope spreading incense 15. Side of pope spreading incense, zoom out 16. Pope walking, spreading incense 17. Zoom out of crowd 18. Pope chanting in Latin AUDIO: chanting 19. Pan of stadium top AUDIO: chanting 20. Pope and Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State (on his right) chanting AUDIO: chanting 21. Choir singing, orchestra AUDIO: chanting 22. Mid of pope and Bertone AUDIO: music 23. Orchestra AUDIO: music STORYLINE Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday urged Christians in the Middle East to persevere in their faith despite hardships threatening the existence of their ancient communities. An estimated 20,000 people filled a Jordanian sports stadium as Benedict celebrated the first open-air Mass of his Middle East pilgrimage. "The Catholic community here is deeply touched by the difficulties and uncertainties which affect the people of the Middle East," Benedict said, speaking in English, at the Amman stadium. "May you never forget the great dignity which derives from your Christian heritage, or fail to sense the loving solidarity of all your brothers and sisters in the church throughout the world," he said. Catholics from across the Middle East attended the service. Many held up flags from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and other countries. They applauded the pope's words and shouted out his name. The Mass was on the third day of Benedict's week-long pilgrimage to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. He heads to Israel on Monday. About 500 children were to receive their first communion at the Sunday Mass. In the afternoon, Benedict was scheduled to travel some 30 miles (50 kilometres) from Amman to Bethany beyond the Jordan river, the site of Christ's baptism. He will also bless the foundation stones of Latin and Greek Melkite churches. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
