Yep. I thought the same thing at the time of his speech. I admire this Pope and we are so fortunate to have him.
I know what I am headed for but I face my destiny with my head held high, standing upright and with the interior solidity of one who has the certainty of his faith. And I will be more so after the courageous and historical gesture of the Pope, who, as soon has he knew of my desire, immediately agreed to personally impart the Christian sacraments of initiation to me.
Here is the crux of what I have been pondering. The timing on this is intriguing. Literally thousands of new Catholics were welcomed into the Church at this year's Vigil Mass. Pope Benedict XVI, who is preparing to meet with 142 Muslim clerics, might well have advised Magdi Allam to join the Church in a private ceremony. He didn't. This is a very clear statement that he is making and one that I'm confident is mirrored in the homily he addressed, via worldide coverage, at the Easter Vigil Mass.
If Benedict XVI does not address this situation, no one else will. He is the only one who has taken on this task, with fierce confidence and peace of mind. God bless the Holy Father! Viva Il Papa!