Sunday urged to be ‘day of fervent prayer’ for Pope Benedict XVI

O Lord, we are the millions of believers,
humbly kneeling at Thy feet
and begging Thee to preserve,
defend and save the Sovereign Pontiff for many years.
He is the Father of the great fellowship of souls
and our Father as well. On this day,
as on every other day,
he is praying for us also,
and is offering unto Thee with holy fervour
the sacred Victim of Love and Peace.

Of Thy great mercy grant, O Lord,
that not one of us may be far from his mind
and his heart in the hour that he prays
and offers unto Thee the Sacrifice of Thy blessed Son.
At the moment when our venerable High Priest,
holding in His hands the very Body of Jesus Christ,
shall say to the people over the Chalice of benediction these words:
"The peace of the Lord be with you always,"
grant, O Lord, that Thy sweet peace
may come down upon our hearts and upon all the nations
with new and manifest power. Amen

Pope Rebukes Pelosi, Tells Her Catholic Legislators Obligated to Protect Life

15-minute meeting with the Pope , the unusual meeting between Pelosi's superficiality with the wisdom of Holy Father

Such encounters with the Pope are treasured by politicians for the photo opportunity they provide. Pelosi, however, was not afforded that customary photo by the Vatican. The Associated Press reports that "the Vatican said it was not issuing a photo of the meeting -- as it usually does when the pope meets world leaders -- saying the encounter was private."
Pelosi said happily : "It is with great joy that my husband, Paul, and I met with his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI today," . "In our conversation, I had the opportunity to praise the Church's leadership in fighting poverty, hunger, and global warming ( ???? ) , as well as the Holy Father's dedication to religious freedom and his upcoming trip and message to Israel."
( ohh really.. )
Pelosi's positive spin on the meeting is not being swallowed even by left-leaning Papal watchers. Vatican correspondent John Allen, who writes for the National Catholic Reporter, noted that "routine Vatican declarations after diplomatic meetings also generally sum up the range of issues discussed rather than concentrating on a particular point. In that sense, the statement can only be read as a rejection of Pelosi's statements last summer, and, in general, of her argument that it's acceptable for Catholics in public life to take a pro-choice position."
Many pro-life organizations from the US and Canada expressed their serious concerns to the Holy See that Mrs. Pelosi was going to be received by the Holy Father. Some of these organizations sent to different Vatican authorities comprehensive memoranda in which they showed in a detailed and precise way the anti-life statements and the pro-death voting record of Mrs. Pelosi.
Catholic sources in Rome, who asked to remain anonymous, said they were "very much encouraged by this statement," saying that it shows that the "Holy Father is ready to stand up with courage to politicians that claim they are Catholics but their voting record denies those hypocritical assertions."