If only I could apologize personally to the Holy Father, I would say: 

Oh Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, I am sorry for what you had to endure at the Mass in Washington D.C. this morning. 

I hope you understand that not all of the Catholic musicians in the United States treat sacred music with such disrespect.  There are many of us who are seeking earnestly to bring continuity with the Church's rich tradition of sacred music back to our liturgies. 

I apologize for the liturgical planners in the archdiocese of Washington D.C. who chose the music for today's Mass.  I am sure that they meant well, yet they were remiss in not consulting your holiness' own clear teaching about the arts in our sacred tradition. 

We are grateful for your visit to our country, and be assured of our prayers as you continue to work for a restoration of the sacred in our Church, as well as all that encompasses your care of the Body of Christ.

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For anyone who missed it, here are a few highlights from the liturgical music at the papal Mass in D.C. today:

It started with some beautifully executed hymns in the prelude and procession of the Mass.  But those were soon forgotten with the gospel Kyrie, the Gloria that made a nod to Gregorian Chant but soon proved it was NOT, the atonal setting of the Responsorial Psalm, a superbly instrumentalized Mass of Creation (OK that wasn't bad) and after that it's kind of a blurr... I remember a mariachi band, the trilingual intercessions response that you hear so often, jazz/soft rock during Communion, and a cameo appearance by Placid Domingo with a stirring rendition of Panis Angelicus (the only problem with that being the time and place).  

Oh well.  Better luck in New York City.  Maybe next time we have a papal visit they'll call the Church Music Association for advice when planning the papal liturgy.  Or better yet, the Holy See will explicitly request that the CMAA be in charge of the music.

This Washington Post article pointed out on the musicasacra forum about sums it up (very humorously): http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/15/AR2008041503369_pf.html