Pope Benedict XVI has celebrated Mass at the Nationals stadium in Washington DC. The new stadium was holding its first non-baseball event.
Gates at the stadium opened before dawn, and more than 40,000 people turned out for the service.
These deacons passed the time playing "baseball" before the service started.
Strict security measures have been put in place throughout the Pope's visit.
For the third time in as many days, the Pope publicly accepted responsibility for the sex abuse scandal that shook the US church from 2002.
It was the first of two baseball stadium masses during the Pope's six-day visit to America. On Sunday he will hold a service at the Yankee stadium in New York.
Deacons were positioned around the stadium to give Communion to worshippers.
Those who could not get tickets had to watch the Mass on a giant screen outside.
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