He's here. We're thrilled. If only had done the Colbert Report he would have entered pop culture.http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorTue, 07 Oct 2008 7:22:30 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/26156/benedicts-us-trip-improved-his-image.html?refid=rss_all_defaultBoth the pontiff and the Catholic Church got an image boost following the pope's recent US visit, reports Reuters. A post-trip poll found that 61% of Americans, both Catholics and non-Catholics, believe the pope's 6-day stint met or exceeded their expectations; 65% now have a more positive view of Pope Benedict.http://www.newser.com/story/26156/benedicts-us-trip-improved-his-image.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 30 Apr 2008 15:20:01 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/25196/pundits-pontificating-draws-fire.html?refid=rss_all_defaultNot for the first time, people are calling for Bill Maher's head—in this case for taking pot shots at Pope Benedict XVI on his HBO show. "If you have a few hundred followers and you let some of them molest children, they call you a cult leader,"  Maher said. "If you have a billion, they call you 'pope.'" He also made a joke about the pontiff's membership in the Hitler Youth group as a child.http://www.newser.com/story/25196/pundits-pontificating-draws-fire.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 21 Apr 2008 10:33:06 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/25147/pope-benedict-leaves-us-after-6-day-visit.html?refid=rss_all_defaultPope Benedict XVI concluded his 6-day US visit today, boarding the papal jet at JFK aqirport to return to the Vatican. “The time has come for me to bid farewell to your country,” Benedict said. “May God bless America.” Dick Cheney attended the departure ceremony, which capped Benedict’s day of visiting Ground Zero and celebrating Mass at Yankee Stadium.http://www.newser.com/story/25147/pope-benedict-leaves-us-after-6-day-visit.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSun, 20 Apr 2008 21:33:58 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/25108/benedict-brings-down-the-house-that-ruth-built.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWith pop music blaring and a roaring crowd, Yankee Stadium might have easily been hosting a rock concert today, reports the New York Times, rather than the rock star of Catholicism. The object of the adoration of 60,000 was Pope Benedict XVI, who finished up his US tour by celebrating the New York diocese's 200th anniversary and calling for Catholic unity in his homily.http://www.newser.com/story/25108/benedict-brings-down-the-house-that-ruth-built.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSun, 20 Apr 2008 14:50:12 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/25102/pope-prays-at-ground-zero.html?refid=rss_all_defaultPope Benedict XVI got on his knees at Ground Zero today to bless the site where 2,600 people died and pray for the victims of the 9/11 attacks and their grieving families. "Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred," he said, in offering a prayer for peace. He then met with survivors and victims' families, as well as local leaders, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg.http://www.newser.com/story/25102/pope-prays-at-ground-zero.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSun, 20 Apr 2008 10:11:58 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/25091/rudy-flouts-communion-ban-at-pope-mass.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTwice-divorced one-time GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani started angry tongues wagging yesterday when he received communion at the pope's mass, which is contrary to church rules. As a divorced Catholic, Giuliani is barred from receiving communion, yet he stepped up to the altar with wife No. 3 at St. Patrick's Cathedral. "He knows better," one miffed Catholic told the New York Daily News.http://www.newser.com/story/25091/rudy-flouts-communion-ban-at-pope-mass.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSun, 20 Apr 2008 9:30:53 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/25062/25k-teens-rock-at-ny-pope-rally.html?refid=rss_all_defaultAbout 25,000 teens experienced Popemania today at a rocking rally in Yonkers, NY, the New York Daily News reports. After Kelly Clarkson belted out tunes, Benedict XVI emerged from a seminary meeting with disabled kids to receive gifts of bread and bless the crowd. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing," said a 15-year-old who left home before dawn to attend.http://www.newser.com/story/25062/25k-teens-rock-at-ny-pope-rally.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSat, 19 Apr 2008 17:42:05 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/25032/pope-prays-for-healing-after-abuse-scandal.html?refid=rss_all_defaultPope Benedict XVI spent the third anniversary of his election to the papacy trying to comfort clergy still weathering the fallout from the priest sex abuse scandal, the AP reports. “I simply wish to assure you of my spiritual closeness,” Benedict said. The pontiff, addressing 3,000 people at New York’s famed St. Patrick’s cathedral, also called for purification and healing.http://www.newser.com/story/25032/pope-prays-for-healing-after-abuse-scandal.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSat, 19 Apr 2008 14:26:36 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/24983/pope-makes-history-with-visit-to-us-synagogue.html?refid=rss_all_defaultPope Benedict XVI became the first pontiff to ever set foot inside an American synagogue with his visit to New York's Park East Synagogue yesterday, the New York Times reports. Benedict, presented with matzo, a Seder plate and a Passover prayer book, spoke to the congregation of "building bridges of friendship" but didn't touch on any thorny issues.http://www.newser.com/story/24983/pope-makes-history-with-visit-to-us-synagogue.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSat, 19 Apr 2008 8:06:32 CDT