NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) – The Vatican's number two official celebrated Mass this week at the Knights of Columbus annual meeting in Tennessee – marking his first US appearance since taking over as secretary of state last year. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone conveyed Pope Benedict XVI's "cordial greetings'', and spent much of his Mass homily speaking about the origins of the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organization for Catholic men considered one of the world's largest lay Catholic groups.

He praised the work of Knights of Columbus founder the Rev. Michael J. McGivney and said he would work to try to have the US-born priest declared a saint.

"The plight of Catholics in America was far from easy," said Bertone, who was appointed to his post in September 2006. "Through the organisation he (McGivney) founded, he reached out beyond the boundaries of his parishes to members of the Catholic community throughout America, many of whom were in great need.

"Widows and orphans who might otherwise have suffered destitution have been offered charitable assistance and fraternal support."

Founded in 1882 by McGivney at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut, the Knights of Columbus was created as an organisation for Catholic men who were discriminated against for their religion and immigrant origins.

"During this celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice, let us join our intentions to those of His Holiness in prayerful gratitude for the good works carried out by the Knights of Columbus and in humble supplication for the success of your convention and the fruitfulness of your apostolate," said Bertone.

The Knights of Columbus has 1.7 million members and donated more than $139 million and 64 million hours of volunteer service to charitable causes in 2005 – including $10 million to Gulf Coast residents and Catholic groups affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Its charitable work also includes substantial support for the Vatican. The group funded the restoration of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica during the 1980s, and annually underwrites the cost of satellite TV broadcasts of liturgical celebrations from Vatican City, including the Christmas midnight Mass.

The organisation has also established a $20 million endowment called the Vicarius Christi Fund, whose annual proceeds are provided to the pope in support of his charitable initiatives.

Benedict praised the group for promoting the church's mission of proclaiming the Gospel and helping the destitute and others in need, according to a message from the pontiff that was read at an afternoon session at a local hotel.

"The Second Vatican Council teaches the lay faithful have an active part to play in the life and activity of the church," Benedict said in the message, referring to the 1962-1965 meetings that modernised the church.

Convention attendees also heard a short prepared video message from President George W. Bush, in which the US president asked the group to continue to work with his administration to support sexual abstinence and adoption programmes.

"I ask you to continue to pray for our country," Bush said. "America is a better nation because of the works of the Knights of Columbus."

Bertone was scheduled to receive the organization's Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope) award – the highest honour bestowed by the group.

Bertone, 72, will be the seventh person to receive the award. The first recipient was Mother Teresa of Calcutta in 1992. Attending the convention, which ended on Thursday, were more than 1,000 delegates representing Knights of Columbus members. About 100 bishops from the US, Canada, the Vatican and throughout the world were present.