Revere group to make pilgrimage for pope

REVERE – The first visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the U.S. will undoubtedly be filled with throngs of well-wishers and protesters alike.With just two stops scheduled – one in Washington D.C. today and another in New York City later this week – Benedict will meet with President George W. Bush, visit a Manhattan synagogue, and address the United Nations.The theme of the trip, “Christ our Hope” is geared to address the path of healing and reconciliation for victims of the clergy sexual abuse crisis and will be delivered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Yankee Stadium.Nearly 14,000 molestation claims have been filed against Catholic clergy since 1950, with a large chunk publicized in the past few years.Father Carlos Flor of the Immaculate Conception Church at 22 Lowe St., in Revere said he and a group of roughly 250 people from two parishes will make the trek to New York City this Saturday to try and catch a glimpse of the pontiff and listen to his message.”About seven or eight are coming from Immaculate Conception, and the majority will be from Our Lady of Assumption in East Boston,” he said. “I want to see (Benedict) up close, so we are planning on leaving really early, about 5 a.m. on Saturday to get to New York by 9 a.m. and wait to see him come out of St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 1 p.m.”Flor said he and the group would be equipped with banners, guitars and tambourines to welcome the Pontiff on his visit.Benedict will turn 81 on Wednesday and reportedly had to turn down numerous invitations around the country.”For us, the father coming to the country is like confirming our faith and I want to tell everyone that this is a historical event,” Flor said. “His words and his wisdom encourage us and teach us the true way to lead to happiness.”Flor said Benedict would spread the word to encourage people to be faithful and console the victims of the clergy abuse.”He is asking forgiveness and is concerned about making people aware that Christ is among us,” he said. “I’m pretty sure that there will be protesters, but we have to respect them and show them our faith. Plus security will be intense I’m sure.”The Vatican acknowledged the possibility of anti-papal protests from Islamic extremists, but said Benedict visited Turkey in 2006, two months after he set off a controversy by linking the Muslim faith to violence in a speech in his native Germany.Benedict released a videotaped message last week that said he hopes his trip will be viewed as a sign of friendship toward all Christian denominations and other religions.”He (Benedict) is a very humble man and at the same time very joyful,” Flor said. “I encourage people to turn on their TVs and be attentive during his visit, or get to New York City if possible. His visit it a good reason to hope.”In July, Flor said he is planning another trip to Sydney, Australia to visit Benedict during a gathering of Catholic youth from around the world.