Pope hopes for spiritual renewal

Pope Benedict asked Catholics around the world yesterday to pray for his trip to the US, saying he hoped it would lead to a spiritual renewal of America's faithful. "Dear brothers and sisters, I ask you all to pray for the success of my visit, so that...

Pope Benedict asked Catholics around the world yesterday to pray for his trip to the US, saying he hoped it would lead to a spiritual renewal of America's faithful.

"Dear brothers and sisters, I ask you all to pray for the success of my visit, so that it may be a time of spiritual renewal for all Americans," the Pontiff said, addressing the crowds in St Peter's Square.

The German-born Pope leaves tomorrow for a six-day trip to the US, his first as Pontiff, with stops in Washington and New York.

He will address the United Nations, hold talks with US President George W. Bush and pray at the site of the World Trade Centre towers destroyed on September 11, 2001.

The Pope is also expected to raise thorny issues including a sexual abuse scandal involving paedophile priests that shook the Catholic Church in the US.

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