Int'l Space Station astronauts get chat, blessing from Pope

Astronauts at the International Space Station (ISS) received over the weekend an out-of-this-world blessing from no less than Pope Benedict XVI from the Vatican. The Pope addressed the astronauts from the Foconi Room of the Vatican Library, space news site NASASpaceFlight.com reported. "During the call, the Pope asked several questions, and blessed the crew," the site said. It added ESA astronauts Roberto Vittori and Paolo Nespoli and their colleagues talked for 20 minutes with the Pope. A blog entry by Kate Shelnutt said it was the first-ever call to space by a pope. Shelnutt said that during the call, Benedict XVI commended the astronauts for their work on behalf of science, international cooperation and peace. He also extended special prayers to shuttle commander Capt. Mark Kelly, whose wife Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is recovering from a headshot wound. "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 each one," said Benedict, speaking from the Vatican. "I know that Mark Kelly’s wife was the victim of a serious attack, and I hope that her health continues to improve," he added. Benedict XVI also extended a personal message, in Italian, to Paolo Nespoli, who recently lost his mother while on mission in space. "Johnson Space Center in Houston coordinated the call, arranged by the Vatican and the European Space Agency. Benedict addressed a dozen American, Italian and Russian astronauts on the International Space Station, where the space shuttle Endeavor docked Wednesday," Shelutt's article said. Kelly and several other astronauts on the call are Catholics, including Col. Ron Garan, Col. Mike Fincke and Col. Roberto Vittori, who floated a coin given to him by the pope before the cameras. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and Catholic leaders from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston watched the Pope's message live from Mission Control along with the families of some of the astronauts on board and some of the agency’s Catholic employees. Even though Benedict read prepared remarks and questions during the 20-minute call, "you could see a little twinkle in his eye over what’s going on," DiNardo said. He thanked NASA for hosting the 40-plus group for the historic occasion. "As the Space Shuttle program comes to a close, the Archdiocese is appreciative of the opportunity to join our Holy Father in commending the tireless work of NASA employees and affirming, as Saint Paul says, ‘Christ fills all the heavens,’" said DiNardo. "May God bless all those who work for NASA for helping us learn more about the wonders of our universe." For the ISS astronauts, the rest of the flight day included a Focused Inspection (FI) on one area of Thermal Protection System (TPS) damage located on space shuttle Endeavor’s belly. — RSJ, GMA News