This is perhaps the most heartwarming picture to come out these days. It's the cover of the April 2012 issue of German-language VATICAN-Magazin, and the montage is explained in the editorial below. I particularly like the subtitle of this editorial as it appears on the cover - 'Der Karsamstags-Bub' (The Holy Saturday child).
With the heart of a child
Editorial
by Guido Horst
Translated from
April 2012
How did he say it then? "Convinced that it is Christ who is the true measure of man, and knowing that in him we find the strength needed to face every trial, I wish to proclaim openly that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. In him everyone will find complete freedom, the light to understand reality most deeply and to transform it by the renewing power of love."
That was in Havana, in the Plaza de la Revolucion, in which far different voices and speeches of a completely different nature have often resounded. But Benedict XVI had the duty to speak this way, even in Cuba.
Fidel Castro himself seemed to have problem with it. Or he would not have gone on to pay a visit on the Pope before the latter left Havana for Rome.
[And asking the Pope to recommend books for his spiritual reading!]
Whether in Mexico or Cuba, in Germany or in Africa, in his General Audiences or in his conversations with Roman priests and seminarians - Pope Benedict is not there to moderate a dialog nor to further elaborate on the many issues facing the Church. He is very good at listening, this German Pope.
But there is always that instant, when he professes his witness. "I wish to openly announce to you the Lord Jesus". And we will do that to his last breath.
"I am old, but I can still carry out my duties", he told Fidel Castro in Havana as TV cameras recorded their meeting. Which has caused a general retreat in the Italian media from all the discussion of his impending resignation that had developed as a background for the Vatileaks episode.
"Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures", says Psalm 90. But with the progress of modern medicine, a man can look forward to living a good stretch beyond that.
But we also note that strenuous trips abroad demand much from Pope Benedict. For instance, even more than 24 hours after he took the 14-hour flight from Rome to Mexico, when he met the children of Guajanato in the late afternoon, it was still 2:30 in the morning by his body clock. That's quite a strain for a man his age.
But then he became radiant and seemed to bloom upon seeing all the many children, young people and the whole crowd, saying what was perhaps the most beautiful words of his just-begun trip: "Today we are full of jubilation, and this is important. God wants us to be happy always. He knows us and he loves us. If we allow the love of Christ to change our heart, then we can change the world. This is the secret of true happiness".
To change the world. That, Benedict XVI thinks, is the mission of the Church. Not through grand projects and humanitarian campaigns. But in that every one should purify his heart, having found in Christ the Way, the Truth and the Life. "I want to publicly announce the Lord Jesus to you".
What could have been in Joseph Ratzinger's heart as he accepted that he had been chosen by the cardinals?
No quiet retirement now with his beloved books at his own desk at home. No relaxing hours with his brother Georg. No peace after the strenuous years in the Roman Curia. All such plans and wishes gone in one fell swoop.
Rather, once more he was being led where he did not really wish or expect to be. Even through the dark valleys to come. Such as the assault of the international media after the 'Williamson case' and one year later, with the resurgence of outrage over sexual abuse by priests. These were dark days for the Pope.
But did he not first see the Light of the world beyond Holy Saturday when he was born? In the darkest times, he must have invoked God to grant him the purity of a child's heart.
And that is why our cover picture shows a collage of the five-year-old Joseph, and behind him, the Easter fire on Holy Saturday in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
In his hand he holds the world, that which he believes is worth changing. It is a little birthday greeting from us to him in the Apostolic Palace. And also a reminder that Easter always follows the darkest of nights.
When he was hailed and cheered by the children in Mexico, Pope Benedict became one of them. 85 years is still 85 years, but that does not keep him from remaining ever young at heart.
Rome Reports has a beautiful video looking back at B16's birthdays as Pope... Below is the accompanying text. I will insert appropriate videocaps later to illustrate the episodes descrtibed...
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hg6W8czw7to
April 15, 2013. (Romereports.com) One more candle on the birthday cake for Benedict XVI, and for the first time as Pope emeritus. He celebrates his 86th birthday in the intimacy of Castel Gandolfo.
Eight years ago, on April 16, 2005, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger turned 78 just two days before the start of of the conclave where he was elected Pope.
During his pontificate, he celebrated seven birthdays with two concerts and Bavarian folk dances, but always working. In fact, in 2006, his first year as Pope, his birthday coincided with the Easter Sunday, where he asked for peace in Africa, Iraq, Israel and Palestine.
In 2007, Benedict XVI celebrated his 80 years at the tune of classical music. The Stuttgart Radio Symphonic Orchestra from Germany performed a concert for him at Paul VI Hall.
“At the end of this stupendous concert, which the Radio Symphonic Orchestra of Stuttgart gave us and elevated our spirits, I wish above all to greet all of you very cordially.”
One year later, in 2008 he packed his bags for the United States. In the morning of his birthday he met with President George W. Bush at the White House, and in the afternoon, with American bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
In 2009, Benedict XVI was able to celebrate with family. He was joined by his brother Georg, as both enjoyed a concert at the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo.
But no birthday celebration is complete without cake. In 2010, the Papal Foundation gave Benedict XVI this confection which read “Happy Birthday Holy Father.” Well-wishers also congratulated him during the individual greetings.
“God bless you, thank you and Happy Birthday.” That moment was immortalized in a group photo.
Before traveling to the United Kingdom in September 2011, British Catholic bishops created a Facebook page and email where anyone could send well-wishes to the Pope for his 84th birthday.
His last celebration as Pope was in 2012, and it came with a German touch. Once again joined by his brother Georg, the two enjoyed traditional folk dances from his native Bavaria.
The young dancers congratulated the Pope individually. It was with this Bavarian delegation that Benedict XVI marked his 85th birthday, his last one as Pope.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 16/04/2013 18:03]