Pope tells crowd of 800,000 to support church

Pope John Paul, ending World Youth Day celebrations today urged a drenched but ecstatic crowd of 800,000 to stand by their church…

Pope John Paul, ending World Youth Day celebrations today urged a drenched but ecstatic crowd of 800,000 to stand by their church and not be discouraged by the priestly sex scandal that has rocked their faith.

Many in the crowd in Downsview Park had slept all night waiting for the outdoor Mass, using plastic sheets, cardboard boxes and flags to shield them from a dawn downpour that continued for much of the morning before the sun broke through near midday.

Undaunted by the puddles and the chills, the young pilgrims woke up to attend the culmination of the pope's week-long stay in Canada. He leaves for Guatemala on Monday.

"I don't care if I'm wet. It was worth it, including the money I spent to get here and the 30-hour bus ride from home," said Cecilia Rziha, 17, of Tampa, Kansas, squatting in mud in the first row of the outdoor mass.

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In his homily, the Pope addressed the priestly sex scandal that has rocked various Catholic Churches around the world, mostly in the United States.

"Do not be discouraged by the sins and failings of some of her (the church's) members," he said, in what was believed to be his first public comment on the subject since the scandal began in the United States in January.

"The harm done by some priests and religious to the young and vulnerable fills us all with a deep sense of sadness and shame. But think of the vast majority of dedicated and generous priests and religious whose only wish is to serve and do good," he said.

Pope John Paul, speaking from a huge altar platform topped by a giant cross, said the scandal should not deter them from becoming priests if they had the calling.

The 82-year-old pontiff arrived by helicopter from his residence in central Toronto and was driven around the sea of rain ponchos and umbrellas so most of the people in the huge crowd could see him.

In his homily, he also jokingly referred to his age, saying: "You are young and the pope is old and a bit tired. Being 80 or 82 is not the same as 22 or 23, but he still fully identifies with your hopes and aspirations."