Sept. 11 Victims' Kin Get Chance to See Pope
http://www.firefightingnews.com/arti...rticleID=46590
Posted March 13, 2008 EST
The Archdiocese of New York is organizing a lottery to allow a small group of family members of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to accompany Pope Benedict XVI to the World Trade Center site next month.
The pope, who is to travel to Washington, D.C., and New York City from April 15 to 20, is scheduled to make a private visit to the World Trade Center site on the last day of his trip.
He also is scheduled to celebrate Mass at Yankee Stadium later that day.
The archdiocese said in an announcement on its Web site yesterday that the number of family members who can accompany the pope to the site will be "extremely limited" because of "the solemnity of the visit and for security reasons."
It did not provide an exact number.
Sally Regenhard, of the Bronx, whose son, Christian, 28, a probationary firefighter, died in the attacks, said she was "grateful the pope is honoring the dead" at the site. Regenhard said she hoped more family members could accompany the pope to the site.
"It's logical that those who lost loved ones should have the opportunity," said Regenhard, of 9/11 Parents & Families of Firefighters.
The archdiocese said anyone can recommend a person to participate by filling out a form on the archdiocese's Web site by 5 p.m. on March 24.
According to the Web site, participants will be selected by lottery and notified by the archdiocese by early April.
People suggesting family members must provide information such as the name of the Sept. 11 victim and his or her relationship with the proposed family member.
Archdiocesan officials could not be reached yesterday to provide further details.
The pope, who is making his first visit to the United States since ascending to the top post in the Roman Catholic Church, also is scheduled to visit St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, deliver an address to the United Nations and celebrate Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Written by Newsday, Melville, N.Y.
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