00 16/08/2009 19:48



Still bringing this thread up to date.



Posted 6/22/09 in the BENEDICT thread:


PHOTOS FROM TOMORROW'S
ISSUE OF L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO





The double issue for tomorrow, 6/22-6/23, has a few more pictures
to add to the photo record of the Pope's visit to San Giovanni Rotondo.



The photo they chose for Page 1 gives us an idea of the 'lower church' of the modernistic pilgrimage Church of San Pio, which they Pope inaugurated yesterday afternoon as his last activity in San Giovanni Rotondo. A marker to commemorate the occasion says that this will be the eventual resting place for the mortal remains of Padre Pio.



A photograph taken during the Pope's encounter with clergy, religious and youth in the main church area shows a few interior details of the futuristic structure.

Unfortunately, the issue provides little detail about the trip, or previous trips for that matter. One would expect some more detail and 'color' from the OR than from regular media because their reporters have privileged access. But in this as in many other things, it seems it does not follow regular journalistic standards.

For instance, there is no story to accompany the Page 1 picture (the info given above is from Italian media reporting); the event is not even mentioned in the wrap-up story. There is a brief story that summarizes the main points of the four papal texts delivered yesterday; an editorial by Giovanni Vian on 'The hearts of saints' referring to the hearts of St. Jean Marie Vianney and St Padre Pio that Benedict XVI had occasion to venerate within a few days of each other; and an item that San Giovanni Rotondo will 'twin' with the Pope's birthplace Marktl-am-Inn, as it did two decades ago with Wadowice, John Paul II's birthplace. And, of course, all four papal texts.

P.S. I apologize - There are two other items that give some details of the Pope's day in San Giovanni Rotondo. One of them is about the Pope's visit with the patients and staff at the Casa Sofferenza, with ample extracts from the words spoken by the patients' representative. The other story is about the encounter with the clergy, religious and young people, which also cites something of what their representatives told the Pope. So I am grateful to OR for that - and for the additional photos.




On the way to the Mass, the Popemobile goes through the crowd which filled every inch of the huge plaza in front of the Church of San Pio; and an uncaptioned photo shows the Pope walking through that plaza, now empty, obviously in the afternoon. {A truly unusual photograph!]



At the Mass. The reliquary containing Padre Pio's heart is on the pedestal next to the Pope in the right photo.



The Pope with, I presume, the cancer patient who greeted him in the name of the patients. OR never labels the pictures it posts online, and is erratic about labelling photos they use on Page 1. Just one of their journalistic quirks!




The Pope venerating the remains of Padre Pio.


I also wish to note that the OR has been remiss in coming out with the special issues on the Pope's trip to Africa and his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. They have come out with three special 'travel issues' so far, the US, Australia and France - and in each case, it was shortly after the event.


P.S. A traditionalist blogger on

who has been the most vehement in denouncing the supposedly
Masonic symbOlogy and intent of the futuristic Church of San Pio
today carries a picture of the mosaic marker pre-installed for
the Pope's visit [Encircling mine]:




Translation: "On the occasion of the pastoral visit of His Holiness Benedict XVI
to this church made precious by the devotion of the faithful and the beauty of art
to keep custody over the body of San Pio da Pietrelcina, he came in prayer and
blessed it. Sunday, 21 June 2009
- The Capuchin Friars Minor of the Province of Foggia"