Local Catholics praise Pope’s visit

Pope Benedict XVI spent the day six hours away in Washington, D.C. But his presence still touched many local Catholics.

As thousands packed into Washington Nationals stadium to see Benedict XVI, students at St. Mary Catholic School in Wilmington gathered around a computer screen, to watch streaming video of the Pope’s first U.S. visit.

Fourth grade teacher Stephanie Watts even gave her class a special assignment.

“We had to bring a sheet of paper or write it down in our agenda, a fact about the Pope,” said fourth grader Spencer Carlson.

“And my fact was the Pope would be serving and giving mass to more than 36,000 people,” said his classmate Mimi Hearne.

St. Mary principal Joyce Price says even though the Pope didn’t come south this trip, his visit was still memorable.