The Papal Visit : A Devilish Problem for Clerics

TEMPE, Ariz. — The papal Mass at Arizona State University’s stadium Monday posed a devilish problem for church officials planning for the visit of Pope John Paul II.

The 75,000-seat facility is decorated with devils armed with pitchforks--the “Sun Devil” that is the university’s mascot.

During the 2 1/2-hour Mass all the “Sparkies,” as the devils are called, were covered with banners.

“Our goal is to create a prayer environment,” Father Dale Fushek, who is in charge of arrangements, said before the event. “We can’t hide the fact that it’s a football stadium, but we don’t want to highlight it.”