NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Pope Benedict XVI began the final day of his American journey by blessing the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and pleading with God to bring ``peace to our violent world.''
The visit by Benedict to ground zero was a poignant moment in a trip marked by unexpectedly festive crowds anxious to see the former academic who for three years has led the world's Roman Catholics. 
1010 WINS VIDEO: Pope Prays at Ground Zero
Benedict was driven in the popemobile part-way down a ramp now used mostly by construction trucks to a spot by the north tower's footprint. He walked the final steps, knelt in silent prayer for a few moments, then rose to light a memorial candle.
Addressing a group that including survivors, clergy and public officials, he acknowledged the many faiths of the victims at the ``scene of incredible violence and pain.''
The pope also prayed for ``those who suffered death, injury and loss'' in the attacks at the Pentagon and in the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pa. More than 2,900 people were killed in the four crashes of the airliners hijacked by al-Qaida.
``God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world,'' the pope prayed on a chilly, overcast morning. ``Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred.''
Benedict invited 24 people with ties to ground zero to join him: survivors, relatives of victims and four rescue workers. He greeted each member of the group individually as a string quartet played in the background. In his prayer, he also remembered those who, ``because of their presence here that day, suffer from injuries and illness.''
New York deputy fire chief James Riches, father of a fallen Sept. 11 firefighter, said the pope's visit was important and gave him ``a little consolation.''
Hundreds of people stood just outside the site, behind police barricades, hoping for a glimpse of the pope.
The site where the World Trade Center was destroyed is normally filled with hundreds of workers building a 102-story skyscraper, a memorial and transit hub. It bears little resemblance to the debris-filled pit where crews toiled to remove twisted steel and victims' remains.
The remains of more than 1,100 people have never been identified.
Benedict was joined by New York Cardinal Edward Egan, along Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York Gov. David Paterson and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine. The land is owned and managed by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
Benedict has addressed terrorism several times during his six-day visit.
In a private meeting with President Bush, the two leaders ``touched on the need to confront terrorism with appropriate means that respect the human person and his or her rights,'' according to a joint U.S.-Holy See statement.
Benedict has been critical of harsh interrogation methods, telling a meeting of the Vatican's office for social justice last September that, while a country has an obligation to keep its citizens safe, prisoners must never be demeaned or tortured.
Addressing the United Nations on Friday, Benedict warned diplomats that international cooperation needed to solve urgent problems is ``in crisis'' because decisions rest in the hands of a few powerful nations.
The pope also insisted that the way to peace was by ensuring respect for human dignity.
``The promotion of human rights remains the most effective strategy for eliminating inequalities between countries and social groups, and increasing security,'' the pope said.
Those whose rights are trampled, he said, ``become easy prey to the call to violence and they then become violators of peace.''
Later Sunday, the pope will celebrate Mass at Yankee Stadium, before returning to Rome.
AUDIO: 1010 WINS Team Coverage (SATURDAY):
The Pope Speaks at a Youth Rally in Yonkers: Sonia Rincon Reports
Blessing of Disabled People at St. Joseph's: Kathleen Maloney Reports
The Papal Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral: Terry Sheridan Reports
The Faithful Flood Fifth Avenue: Eileen Lehpamer Reports
On Saturday, Pope Benedict focused on the future of his American church as he marked the third anniversary of his election as pontiff, rallying young people, priests and seminarians and assuring them of his support as they dealt with the damage from the clergy sex abuse scandal. 
On a highly personal day, Benedict spoke of suffering under Nazism in his youth and, at another point, touched on his own ``spiritual poverty.'' He added that he hoped to be a worthy successor to St. Peter, considered the first pope.
Benedict began the day with a Mass at St. Patrick's cathedral, the landmark Roman Catholic church on Fifth Avenue. The building was packed with cardinals and bishops, priests and nuns, who cheered him to mark the day he succeeded Pope John Paul II on April 19, 2005.
The German-born pope lamented that what he called ``the joy of faith'' was often choked by cynicism, greed and violence. Yet he drew an analogy to show how faith can overcome distractions and trials.
``The spires of St. Patrick's Cathedral are dwarfed by the skyscrapers of the Manhattan skyline, yet in the heart of this busy metropolis they are a vivid reminder of the constant yearning of the human spirit to rise to God,'' he said.
IMAGE GALLERY: The Pope in NYC
In America, he has said repeatedly, the religious intensity stands out in marked contrast to the tepid spiritual emphasis in his native Europe. That makes the U.S. a testing ground for him in his bid to counter secular trends in the world.
He also returned Saturday to the sex abuse scandal that he said has caused ``so much suffering'' for the American church, assuring his audience ``of my spiritual closeness as you strive to respond with Christian hope to the continuing challenges that this situation presents.''
It was the fourth time he has spoken of the scandal since beginning his first papal pilgrimage to the U.S. on Tuesday. While in Washington, he met with a small group of victims from the Boston Archdiocese, where the scandal boiled over in 2002. It was believed to be the first time a pope had met with victims of clerical sex abuse.
Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi, meeting with reporters Saturday, was asked if the scandal had dominated the agenda of the trip. He denied that, saying it was part of the central theme of the entire visit, ``to give hope to the church in the United States.''
Benedict later was driven to St. Joseph's Seminary in nearby Yonkers, for a rally with young Catholics and seminarians. Upon arriving he blessed about 50 disabled youngsters in the seminary chapel. Two small girls gave him a painting and a hug.
The pope got a hero's welcome at the youth rally from a festive crowd of 25,000, which burst into wild cheers when Benedict first acknowledged them from the stage. The shy theologian took time to reach out and shake hands with the ecstatic faithful in the front rows. The youngsters, meanwhile, sang ``Happy Birthday'' to him, he turned 81 on Wednesday _ in his native German.
During his speech at the rally, Benedict reflected on the repression of his own youth under Nazism. He urged the young people and seminarians to carry on the faith while enjoying the liberties that they were fortunate to have.
``My own years as a teenager were marred by a sinister regime that thought it had all the answers,'' he said making a rare reference to his own life. ``Its influence grew _ infiltrating schools ands civic bodies, as well as politics and even religion _ before it was fully recognized for the monster it was.''
As the busy day wore on, Benedict showed signs of tiring. His secretary reminded him to give his greetings in Spanish at the youth rally.
``I forgot my Spanish,'' the pope said with a chuckle. And the crowd laughed.
At the end of the St. Patrick's service, Benedict was clearly moved when his top assistant, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, read a tribute for the third anniversary.
Benedict told the crowd of 3,000 that ``I am deeply thankful'' for the support they showed him, and for ``your love, your prayers.'' The pope said that he, like St. Peter, was a ``man with his faults.'' 
The Rev. Michael Morris, a professor of church history at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, where a youth rally was organized for the pontiff Saturday, attended the Mass, and was among those cheering ``Viva il Papa!'' as Benedict passed by.
Morris, 47, credits John Paul's 1979 trip to the United States with drawing him toward the priesthood. He hoped Benedict's visit would inspire young men today to do the same.
``I think it was a wonderful boost for priests and religious,'' said Morris, speaking about the clergy, nuns and brothers in religious communities.
``We're encountering a whole new generation that is very fervent and in many ways more heroic,'' he said. ``They've been through the scandal and they still want to serve.''
Benedict himself, on the flight to America from Rome, said as he addressed the scandal that it was more important to have ``good priests than to have many priests.''
Upon arriving at St. Patrick's, the pontiff was met outside by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, while former Mayor Rudy Giuliani was inside.
Giuliani received Holy Communion during the service from one of the many clergy who offered the sacrament. That raised some eyebrows since Giuliani has been married three times and supports abortion rights. Catholics who divorce and remarry without getting an annulment from the church cannot receive Communion. Giuliani did receive an annulment after his first marriage.
Benedict blessed the cathedral with holy water before making his way to the altar of the landmark church. As the pope walked down the center aisle, nuns clutched at his robes, showing an enthusiasm for his presence that has spread among the general public.
The Vatican said the pope came outside from his residence on the Upper East Side on Friday night to greet a crowd of more than 500 people who had lined up for hours. He shook hands and blessed the crowd before returning inside.
On Sunday, the final day of his trip, the pope will visit ground zero to lead prayers, and later will celebrate a Mass at Yankee Stadium.
After the St. Patrick's service a roar went up from the crowd when the popemobile passed along Fifth Avenue, with people raising up their babies and others shooting pictures with cell phone cameras.
Daniela Rizzo brought her husband and their infant son from Connecticut.
``You can feel the energy,'' Rizzo said. ``You can feel the faith.''
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