Pope Benedict has continued to delight people with his touches of humanity: He likes cats. He has an iPod. And now, the pope has a skateboard!

Okay, the Holy Father is not going to actually ride the papal skateboard. This is the Archdiocese of New York's clever and creative way to get young Catholics excited about this week's official Papal Visit to the United States, April 15-20, 2008. Hundreds of children and teens from around the archdiocese designed a papal skateboard for a contest, and you can vote on the best design at the link above. You can also purchase a board on their site and I have already ordered one for my own skateboard collection. Proceeds will benefit retreat and recreation programs for the inner city kids of New York. Very cool!

The pope is coming to America! A papal visit is always a special event. As a child, I remember the excitement of Pope Paul VI's 1965 visit to the United Nations in New York, the very first time that a reigning pontiff set foot on American soil. When Pope John Paul II came to San Francisco in 1987 his motorcade traveled two blocks away from my house, and my mother and I had a wonderful time waiting in the crowds to receive his blessing as he rode past us in the Popemobile. His Papal Mass at Candlestick Park still ranks as one of the highlights of my life, as over 86,000 Catholics celebrated the Eucharist together with the Vicar of Christ on earth. I was privileged to see Pope John Paul again 15 years later at World Youth Day in Toronto and was moved by his unabashed energy, despite his advanced age and infirmity.

When a pope visits a country it is an opportunity for him to speak on moral and ecclesial matters that are unique to the region. Pope Benedict recently held a press conference to outline his goals while in the U.S.

"I shall come to the United States as pope for the first time to proclaim this great truth: Jesus Christ is hope for men and women of every language, race, culture and social condition," the pope said. (Catholic News Service)

Pope Benedict said he intends to reach out spiritually to U.S. Catholics and show fraternity and friendship to other Christians, to followers of other religions and to all people of good will. In Washington, DC, he will visit with President Bush, gather with all the U.S. Bishops, and meet with leaders of non-Christian faiths. While in New York he will address the United Nations and pray for peace at Ground Zero. Here is a link to Pope Benedict's U.S. itinerary.

Let us pray for the Holy Father, for his safe travel and for the success of this visit, whose theme is "Christ Our Hope." This will almost certainly be the central focus of the papal liturgies. If you live in Washington or New York be sure to try and attend the Pope's Mass at Nationals Park or Yankee Stadium. It will be an unforgettable experience of the universal Church that you will treasure for the rest of your life. Public transportation is encouraged - especially by skateboard!