Posted on 03/29/2009 9:57:53 AM PDT by GonzoII
Despite being rocked by criticism, this pope continues to enjoy the trust of the masses. His trip to Africa and a survey in Italy prove this. The reason is that he speaks of God to a humanity in search of direction ROME, March 27, 2009 – On the flight back from his trip to Cameroon and Angola, Benedict XVI told the journalists that two things in particular had been ingrained in his memory:
"On the one hand, the almost exuberant hospitality and the joy of a festive Africa. In the pope, they saw the personification of the fact that we are all children of God and his family. This family exists, and we, with all of our limitations, are in this family, and God is with us.
"On the other hand, there was the spirit of recollection at the liturgies, the strong sense of the sacred: in the liturgies, there was no self-representation of groups, no self-promotion, but the presence of the sacred, of God himself. Even the movements, the dances, were always respectful and cognizant of the divine presence."
Popularity and presence of God. The interweaving of these two elements is the secret of Joseph Ratzinger's pontificate.
(Excerpt) Read more at chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it ...
The Holy Father is not “still popular” in spite of who he is — for so many of us, he is popular BECAUSE of who he is.
Just figured out yesterday how to download Mere Christianity to my iPhone. Life is good.
Well put.
People just don’t get it - he’s filled with the love of God, he preaches orthodox Christianity, he’s a brilliant theologian who draws from the entire history of the Church - what’s not to love?
Enjoy.
...In other words, an authentic Christian/Catholic person and Pope.
He’s a brilliant, Christ-filled man. Reading his books is akin to sitting with St. Paul in the ampitheatre. His reasoning is so clear, so faithful and so amazing in his ability to make you actually see.
Jesus of Nazareth was a joy to read.
*And I’m German descent so that’s a big plus ( -;
That's exactly what it feels like!
He’s a great teacher. His books are full of insights.
One of our Orthodox friends here has described BXVI as the closest thing to a Church Father as he is likely see in his lifetime.
Piffle. I doubt the Pope is "rocked" by criticism in the slightest, bless his heart. And "the masses" aren't the people criticising him ... it's the self-proclaimed "elites," aka "apostates." The Holy Father is surely deeply concerned about the salvation of their souls, which is more than I can manage.
May God bless Pope Benedict.
He has read deeply in the Greek Fathers. so he gets where they are they are coming from.
Pray that he can heal the schism. The world needs both lungs of the Christian faith.
The world needs all Christians. those who truly believe in the Lord and follow Him daily.
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