Pope Yankee Stadium

Guide Note

Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Yankee Stadium on April 20, 2008, at 2:19 p.m. for a papal Mass -- the third and last to be held at the soon-to-be-retired stadium in New York City. Prior masses there were held by Pope Paul VI in 1965, and Pope John Paul II in 1979.

Those in attendance were required to enter the stadium by 12:00 p.m. After noon the stadium was sealed for security purposes. Many in the crowd reportedly waved white and yellow flags, honoring the official colors of the Holy See.

The Pope exited the Popemobile at 2:25 p.m. garbed in a white cassock, as opposed to the usual scarlet one that he wears. The white cassock is worn for the Easter season.

The crowd was entertained by performances from Harlem Gospel Choir, Ronan Tynan, Marcello Giordani, José Feliciano, Stephanie Mills, and Harry Connick, Jr..

On the outside of the stadium, an abundance of Papal memorabilia was available for purchase: buttons, flags and pennants, canvas tote bags, and portraits.

Tickets for the Mass were distributed months ago. The Archdiocese of New York received half the tickets, while the rest were distributed to dioceses throughout the United States. A significant portion went to the dioceses of Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Louisville, in recognition of their bicentennials.

The Mass marks the end of the Pope's New York City tour. Earlier in the day he visited Ground Zero, the site of the 9-11 tragedy. He was accompanied by 24 people who were affected by the attacks.

Fast Facts

1. Close to 60,000 Catholics in attendance
2. Third Papal Mass held at Yankee Stadium history
3. 57,000 tickets distributed
4. On April 19, a Papal mass was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral