The first-ever call to space by a pope came through "Loud and clear" on Saturday, May 21,2011. Pope Benedict XVI commended astronauts for their courage, blessed them and extended special prayers to shuttle commander Mark Kelly, whose wife, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, is recovering from a gunshot wound to the head.
From space,"I think it must be obvious to you that we all live together on this earth and how absurd it is that we fight and kill," said Benedict, speaking from the Vatican to the International Space Station, where the space shuttle Endeavour docked Wednesday during its final mission. "I know that Mark Kelly's wife was the victim of a serious attack, and I hope that her health continues to improve."
Johnson Space Center in Houston coordinated the call, planned by the Vatican and the European Space Agency. Benedict addressed a dozen American, Italian and Russian astronauts, acknowledging the scientific advancements, international cooperation and global unity fostered by their work.
Among them were several members of the Catholic Church, including Kelly, Col. Ron Garan, Col. Mike Fincke and Col. Roberto Vittori, who floated a coin given to him by the pope before the camera.
DiNardo leads group
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and Catholic leaders from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston watched the Holy Father's message live from Mission Control in Houston along with astronauts' families and some of the agency's Catholic employees.
NASA employees and former astronauts fill pews at the Catholic churches near Johnson Space Center, where pastors lead prayers for shuttle launches and cater to their space-loving parishes.
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