Bishop George J. Lucas, four diocesan priests and several dozen youth and adults of the Springfield diocese were able to attend events during Pope Benedict XVI's first papal visit to the United States. Many of them carried cameras and were able to photograph the Holy Father during his April 15-20 stay. Here is a gallery of pictures they brought home to share with Catholic Times.
CHRIST OUR HOPE — The theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s papal visit to the United States was “Christ Our Hope,” beautifully illustrated in this photograph taken by Bishop George Lucas during the papal Mass at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. 
CALL FOR CONTINUING CATECHESIS — Jean Johnson, superintendent of schools from the diocesan Office for Catechesis attended the papal address to educators April 17 at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he stressed the importance of education. 
FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT — Father Daren Zehnle, parochial vicar at St. Anthony Parish in Effingham, snapped this group of Franciscans as they watched excitedly at Nationals Stadium in Washington, D.C., where 46,000 people attended the April 17 papal Mass. 
POPEMOBILE — Jean Johnson, superintendent of schools in the Springfield diocese, was among the crowds on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., when Pope Benedict passed by in the famous “popemobile.” 
TAKING PICTURES — Bishop George J. Lucas took this picture of Bishop John R. Gaydos of Jefferson City, Mo., taking a picture during the April 17 papal Mass at Nationals Stadium in Washington, D.C. 
YANKEE STADIUM — In this photo from Father Daren Zehnle, Pope Benedict XVI gestures in appreciation of the excited crowd before the April 20 papal Mass at Yankee Stadium in New York. 
YOUTH RALLY — Deacon Kevin Muniz, currently preparing for his ordination to the priesthood on May 24, attended Pope Benedict’s rally for seminarians and youth held April 19 at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y., and was able to shoot this picture as the pope arrived. Deacon Muniz is assigned to St. Mary Parish in Edwardsville. 
Farewell — In another photo from Father Daren Zehnle, Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful as he departs Yankee Stadium after celebrating the Mass. It was one of the final events of his five-day stay.