What is it that draws so many people to appearances by the pope? Even in jaded New York, thousands lined Fifth Avenue Saturday, waiting for hours just to catch a brief glimpse of the popemobile as Pope Benedict XVI traveled north to Yonkers and a youth rally at St. Joseph’s Seminary. It was while thinking about this rally and waiting for his visit to ground zero yesterday that the answer dawned on me: People do not revere the man so much as the message of hope, unity, and inspiration for all mankind that he delivers as the Vicar of Christ.

Every presidential election year, the nation is practically torn asunder and polarized by the negative campaigning that forces Americans to take sides depending on their race, ethnicity, and/or economic status. Yet this past weekend, there was a mood of optimism and peace. As one woman who traveled from Bethlehem, Pa., put it: “It’s like one big giant family here coming together in peace and harmony.”

That feeling of unity struck me as I was watching a telecast of the pope’s historic visit to the Park East Synagogue on Friday. As Benedict walked up the aisle, the crowd sang “Heiveinu Shalom Aleichem.” This is the song I hear during Spanish evening Mass at my parish, only the words are: “La paz este con nosotros.” The song is sung in various languages around the world, and the sentiment of “peace be with us” is universal.

Perhaps the most powerful impact of the papal visit is felt by those whose lives have been stricken with sorrow, for he conveys a message of hope and love. At the youth rally in Yonkers, Ebi Ogbu, 22, gave the welcoming speech. Benedict then arose from his seat and held out his hands to hers, and as he touched her forehead with his, I could see her shoulders shake with emotion. What joy it must have given her parents, who emigrated from Nigeria, to see their daughter bond with the leader of their strong Catholic faith. They lost their eldest son, Adam, when he died during Special Forces training in Texas in 2000. He was just 19 and one of the nicest young men I ever knew. The family’s loss was painful and prolonged, but Ms. Ogbu told me that when the pope put his head to hers, “it was so unexpected. I was amazed. It felt warm and peaceful. What a great experience.”

Yesterday, the pontiff held a private prayer service at ground zero. He personally greeted 24 individuals who represented survivors, first responders, and family members of the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

My friend Kathy Curatolo, whose brother Robert was a firefighter who perished that day, stood very near the spot where her brother’s body was recovered.

She described Benedict as being very grandfatherly. “John Paul II was very charismatic, but when you look into this pope’s eyes, there’s a silent strength there which I can only say is unbelievable. He’s a very compassionate man,” Ms. Curatolo said. She went on to describe how Edward Cardinal Egan introduced each guest to the pope and related their connection to ground zero. Ms. Curatolo wore a picture of her brother on her lapel. The pope gently touched it and said, “Your brother,” which brought her to tears. “After 9/11, my family turned away from God,” Ms. Curatolo told me. “They said, ‘How could God let this happen?’ I went the other way. I felt that it was the absence of God that allowed the evil of 9/11. The visit of Pope Benedict to ground zero shows that faith, hope, and charity will always conquer evil.”

After the pope departed, the visitors were given metal crosses made from materials from the fallen towers, commemorative candles, papal rosaries, and medallions. I was so grateful to have Ms. Curatolo there to fill me in on her experience, because I was stuck on Church and Liberty streets near some protesters with crude signs attacking the pontiff.

It’s no surprise that the security detail opted for another route for the popemobile. Ms. Curatolo said that at the Secret Service briefing, the visitors were informed that security for the pope is five times that for the president. Police snipers stood guard on the rooftops.

One can only feel pity for those who do not recognize a messenger of peace and love. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Roncalli, a Wojtyla, or a Ratzinger who wears the white robes and mitre; it’s the words that will always resonate in our hearts. It’s not the singer, it’s the song.

acolon@nysun.com