Benedict XVI

A feww weeks ago, as I prepared to start my homework, I read something that I couldn't believe. Pope Benedict XVII is stepping down. I didn't even know The Pope could resign. This is only  time in history that this has happened under these circumstances... CRAZY!

 When we arrived in Rome and saw St. Peter's Basilica and roof of the Sistine Chapel for the first time we all joked about a Papal Conclave. After joking, we all agreed not to talk about it anymore because that meant that we were hoping for his death. As some of my classmates put it, we get the best of both worlds. A new pope without the death of his predecessor.

Today, my friends and I were lucky enough to attend Pope Benedict XVI's last papal audience. We hurried to collect tickets from the Swiss Guard next to St. Peter's Basilica a few days ago, and today, we made our way to St. Peter's square prepared to see the Holy Father for the last time.

 

He arrived via the Pope mobile and gave the audience plenty of opportunities to see him, snap a picture, and wave.

We sat next to a group of German men and women who could not be more proud. The sea of people grew larger and larger, and you could feel the excitement, the sadness, the faith.This experience was once in a lifetime. As we all said farewell to a man we all grew to know and care for. We sang together, prayed together, cheered together, and listened his final address to the people of the Church.

I have felt like St. Peter with the Apostles in the boat on the Sea of Galilee: the Lord has given us many days of sunshine and gentle breeze, days in which the catch has been abundant; [then] there have been times when the seas were rough and the wind against us, as in the whole history of the church it has ever been - and the Lord seemed to sleep. Nevertheless, I always knew that the Lord is in the barque, that the barque of the church is not mine, not ours, but his - and he shall not let her sink. It is he, who steers her: to be sure, he does so also through men of his choosing, for he desired that it be so. This was and is a certainty that nothing can tarnish. It is for this reason, that today my heart is filled with gratitude to God, for never did he leave me or the church without his consolation, his light, his love... Yes, we are happy for the gift of faith: it is the most precious good, that no one can take from us! Let us thank God for this every day, with prayer and with a coherent Christian life. God loves us, but He also expects that we love him!

Dear friends! God guides his church, maintains her always, and especially in difficult times. Let us never lose this vision of faith, which is the only true vision of the way of the church and the world. In our heart, in the heart of each of you, let there be always the joyous certainty that the Lord is near, that he does not abandon us, that he is near to us and that he surrounds us with his love. Thank you!
 -- Pope Benedict XVI

Grazie, Benedetto.