Strong Support for Pope Benedict

Pope Benedict was greeted by a huge crowd of supporters when he led the Regina Caeli at noon on Sunday. Estimates of the size of the crowd ranged to well over 200,000. This gathering of the faithful demonstrated their strong support for this pope as he leads the Church through these difficult times. Overflowing with enthusiasm, the people gathered in St. Peter's Square waved yellow balloons and held banners that showed their solidarity with the Pontiff. Banners and signs included: "Together with the Pope" and "Your Holiness, you are not alone" and "The whole Church is with you."

Pope Benedict said he was comforted by such a "beautiful and spontaneous show of faith and solidarity" and went on to remind the gathering that "The true enemy to fear and combat is sin, spiritual evil, which, unfortunately, also infects members of the Church." In anticipation of the Church's celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost, he said, "In the course of this week we will pray with the whole Church for the coming of the Holy Spirit, asking him to pour out his gifts upon our families, our parishes, and all whom we love."

Here's a brief glimpse of the scene -- from the Vatican's YouTube page.

Pray for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and for the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.