Vatican Press Director Lombardi to EuroFora on Pope Emeritus Benedict's Future contacts possibility
*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Speaking to "EuroFora" by phone while he still remained, for a few Hours more, the Spokesman of Pope Benedict XVI, who has anounced an unprecedented Resignation starting later Tonight from 8 pm., the experienced Press Director of the Vatican, father Federico Lombardi, clearly confirmed the new "Pope Emeritus"' wish to be able to "Communicate normaly" with the outer World from his retreat (initialy at Castel Gandolfo and afterwards at a renovated Covent inside Vatican's gardens).
Shortly after the Helicopter transporting for the last time, from now on Pope "Emeritus" Benedict, to Castel Gandolfo, arrived at destination, where the doors closed behind him after a brief but moving salute to the local People waiting to see him, (Comp. Infra), Lombardi, exceptionaly joined by Phone from Strasbourg, ensured, indeed, that, in his opinion, there will soon be fair possibilities for Contacts with other People, and that Benedict won't be obliged to stay in total isolation in the future.
However, meanwhile, it's also true that, Young and strong Archbishop Georg Ganswein, from nearby Germany, Benedict's faithful long-time collaborator, spontaneously Weeping, and vainly trying to Hide his Tears behind others and a Door inside Castel Gandolfo, just before everybody goes, leaving Benedict alone, was a Human, but Hard moment to see Today...
Castel Gandolfo is considered as a good place to be during Hot Summers, but not during Cold Winters. However, given the unwarned, sudden U-turn of the unprecedented events, the rooms destinated to host Benedict permanently in a Monastery, had not yet been restored, and workers were still busy to prepare things on the spot.
Despite some opposite claims, it seems that Resignation of a Pope (contrary to what happens often for Old Bishops) is a rather Unprecedented Event, occuring for the 1st time in History, since the only cases presented as similar, in fact, either don't concern real and universaly recognized Popes, or only captive, imprisoned persons, without real Freedom to decide, and the only case which, apparently might have been a precedent, (that of Celestinus : the man who didn't want to become, nor stay Pope, but accepted a persisting proposal by the Cardinals, just to help keep the Unity of the Church), wasn't a good one, since, even that reportedly Good Man, died soon, probably murdered, according to Historians, at a particularly hard period for the Catholic Chruch, a very long time ago...
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At the beginning of our Phone encounter in such exceptional circumstances, "EuroFora" reminded to Lombardi our Name, and the Fact that we've been working for a long time in the on CoE and EU Parliament, being based in France, but close to Germany, etc, (where we had met at several occasions, both in Italy, France and Germany, as well as at Lourdes, and even at the CoE in Strasbourg, after Koeln, etc), and wished him to be well, and moraly strong.
- "At your knowledge, do you think that the Holy Father, Pope Emeritus Benedict, will be able to Communicate with the external world, f.ex. thanks to you and others of your friends, from now on, in the foreseable Future, or will he stay in Total Retirement (retreat) ?", "EuroFora" asked Father Lombardi.
After carefuly asking us to "clearly and slowly repeat what (we) think" that should be raised as a Question at this particular moment, Lombardi went on to answer, in his usual crystal-clear, rational but also emotional, way :
- "No, the Pope can do what he wishes", was his first reaction to the above-mentioned question by "EuroFora", in front of a basically Unprecedented situation.
- "But, he said that he wants to live, from now on, in Retirement", he observed.
- "That is to say, by Praying, by Studying", etc. "I.e. without Big Public Events"
- "But he is a (Human person and) a Man, who will certainly have the possibility to Communicate", added, smiling, Father Lombardi, who knows personally well the Pope Emeritus Benedict.
- "During the forthcoming Days, however, I think that, given also the Cardinals' Meeting, the Conclave, etc. (for the Electiion of the New Pope, as sheduled) , he will be very much Reserved...", he supposed.
- "But, in the Future, I think that, while Praying and staying in Retirement, nevertheless, he will be able to have a quite Normal Life", Lombardi hoped.
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[NDLR : Followed another Question/Reply, which is ommitted in the present Version, but might be published, later-on, together with other relevant facts, and according to subsequent developments]
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- "In the "Prayer for March", (that the Pope advises through the official Vatican's Press), you've just Published earlier Today, the Holy Father refers to Nature, created by God, in its integrality", (i.e., apparently, both Climate and Landscapes, Plants and Animals, Born and Unborn Human beings, including Human Embryo, etc). Do you think that it would be right too interpret it as meaning that BioEthical issues, (which are, indeed, very Topical, were among his main Concerns ?"
Indeed, in his last publication of his "Prayer Intentions" for "March", distributed Today, Benedict focuses, precisely, on the need of "Respect for Nature" to "grow", stressing that "All Creation is God's work", and Warning that it was "EnTrusted to Human Responsibility", something of which we should be all well "Aware".
- "Well, It's better for me not to make now any Statements, or Conversations on that" issue, he estimated. - "If you have something about that, you can write to me, if you wish", prefered to conclude, after an exceptional and intense day, given also the obviously deep and manifold importance of that matter, Father Lombardi...
.................
Meanwhile, ..
- "I'm no more the Pontiff", but "simply a Pilgrim, starting the last journey of his life , Benedict reacted, with a Tragic Modesty, to the loud Welcome (including with a placard "Pontifex !" held by an Old Woman in front of all), by the numerous simple People gathered at the village of Castel Gandolfo, despite the cold Winter time.
=> - But, nevertheless, " I still wish, .. Heartfully, with all by Love, with my Prayers, with my Thoughts, with all my inner forces, to Work for the Common Good, for the Good of the Church, and of Humanity". "And I feel very much encouraged by your Sympathy", he said to the People gathered to salute him warmly. - "Let's go ahead, with the Lord, for the Good of the Church and of the World", Pope Emeritus Benedict, said later Today, in his last words in public.
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-"The strength of the Church, its Life, are Words of Truth", which "Purify and reNew, bear Fruit, wherever the Community of Faithful hears and receives the Grace of God, in Truth and Charity, (Love : Reference to Benedict's famous 2009 Encyclic "Caritas in Veritate", a Profoundly Human text, but also full of Fighting Spirit). - "This is my Belief", he concluded for the Church's collective Leadership of 144 Cardinals gathered now in the Vatican, at Rome, and for his forthcoming Successor, due to be elected on March.
=> - The "Holy Spirit" guides in the "Knowledge of Truth", topicaly concluded, later Tonight in Strasbourg, his Speech at the Huge Cathedral of the City, ArchiBishop Mgr Grallet, in a special Mass a the honour of the Retiring Pope Benedict, reminding "his beloved notions of <<Faith (Peace) and Love (Caritas)>>".
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Soon, most possible developments will depend from the Choice that the College of Cardinals will finaly make on his Successor, the New Pope.
Naturally, Benedict said nothing about that, at least not in public. On the contrary, Today, his latest "Mission Intention" is for Religious People to "be Tireless Messengers of the Gospel, to the Ends of the Earth", as he characteristicaly said, apparently pointing at the Huge, World-wide Dimension and Duty of Christianity, while also, by a timely coincidence, concluding his last Vatican Information Daily Newsletter by 2 apointments at two Other "Ends of the Earth", at Different Sides of the Oceans : Argentina and Vietnam... A hint to the Large Choice possible, and, therefore, to the huge Responsibility to choose Well ?
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(NDLR: - Fast Translation from the Original in French. + "DraftNews", as already sent to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors, earlier. A more accuratee, full Final Version, might be published asap).
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Benedict's "Source" to revitalize Europe : - "The World needs Hope", Pope says, calling to relaunch E.U. via Human Rights !
Paris - Lourdes - Strasbourg : 12 - 17 September 2008.
The vital need to re-launch Europe can be succesfully met by defending fundamental Human Rights of the People, said Pope Benedict XVI in his 1st speech in France, at his meeting with President Nicolas Sarkozy, who currently chairs the EU.
Sarkozy replied by welcoming Christian and other religions' contribution to indispensable Public Debates on crucial issues which affect Human Dignity, Europe, even Humankind, as BioGenetics.
- "When Europeans will see and personally experience that the inalienable Rights of the Human Person .., those of their free Education, their Family life, their Work, ..their Religious Rights, ..are respected and promoted, then, these Europeans will fully understand the greatness of the European construction and will be actively involved in it", Benedict XVI stressed.
- "It's important that during France's EU Presidency, there is, indeed, a desire for the Church to contribute to protect Human Person's integrity, and I think that there is also a growing Conscience, beyond any polemics, to defend Human Rights, and, thus, contribute to ensure respect for Human Dignity", added to "EuroFora" the Pope's Spokesman, Vatican's Press Director Federico Lombardi.
- "Nobody really told us here that Lisbon Treaty was good for this or that reason to the People. They only told us that we "had" to ratify it, and tried to scare us, but failed", said 2 Irish pilgrims to "EuroFora", after 2 Majority Abstentions in 1999 and 2004 EU Elections and 3 "NO" to Referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005, followed by the Irish "No" in 2008, during a Decade of EU Crisis since the controversial Turkey EU- bid (1999-2008).
More than .."224 cases of Murders, Torture, "Disappearancies" or Destructions" by "agents of Turkish Security forces", where all those responsible for so heavy Crimes still remain scandalously unpunished, despite regular condemnations of Ankara by Strasbourg''s European Court of Human Rights from 1996 to 2008, were examined the same week by CoE's Ministers, who decided to launch a fresh call "urging" the Turkish Authorities to end this dangerous "virtual Impunity" of criminals, without comparison to European countries.
- "Why not Ukraine, instead of Turkey ?", asked EuroFora a Journalist from "Kiev : the city where it's enough to cross the streets in order to realize that it's a European town", as Sarkozy recently said, before solemnly declaring this week, together with Ukranian President Jushenko and EU Commission's chair Baroso, EU's "recognition that Ukraine is a fully European Country, linked to Europe by culture and History".
Europe's "Christian roots" and Values, with "openess and mutual respect" to other cultures and beliefs, were highlighted by Sarkozy in harmony with Benedict XVI.
The Human person should be protected "from his inception until his natural death", added the Pope, faithful to BioEthic principles defended by his predecessor and collaborator, John Paul II, of topical importance in France, Europe and the World today, as Sarkozy announced :
- "Fast and important progres in Genetic Science and procreation raise delicate BioEthical Questions to our Democracies", which "involve our view of Humans and Life, and can lead to Social Mutations. That's why they cannot remain only a business of experts", hestressed.
- "It's Politician's responsibility to set a proper framework for such Public Debates", as "France will do on BioEthics in 2009". "Religious and Philosophic traditions must take part, with their ideas and centuries' long experience : A positive Laicity is an open invitation to Dialogue", he said.
- "France engaged in Europe at another Debate on how to make Financial Capitalism more moral", and the "Social doctrine of the Church fits well what is at stake in modern Globalized Economy"
- "But, a "Real Dialogue is not for an elite of a Globalized world : It penetrates deep into the People : That's why Churches should actively participate : .. It's bringing New Oxygen to Public Debates", stressed Sarkozy.
- "Democracy must not be cut off Reason", which is "compatible with Faith", thanks to "the meeting between Christianism and Greek philosophy ", he added, referring to Pope's views. "It means to advance with logic arguments, search what's best and respect common principles of thinking :... It's an everyday need for Public Administration and the Political Debate", he added.
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Pope Benedict's 1st visit to France looked like the start of a brillant, manifold demonstration that this was well-founded and could become true in the lives of the People : After its Theoretical foundations unfolded at a "speech to the world of Culture", inaugurating Bernadins' cultural centre, and its dogmatic instrument shaped at an address to the Clergy in the Historic Notre Dame' Cathedral, he started to resolutely reach out to the People :
The move went upwards like Bach's music : Begining with a call to more than fifteen thousand enthousiastic Youngsters gathered at Notre Dame's parvis with overnight celebrations, it gained strength in an impressive open-air Mass at Paris'central Invalides'area facing Alexander III's bridge, attended by more than 150.000 people, French Prime Minister Fillon, many Ministers, Foreign Ambassadors, etc, and culminated in a series of pan-European Mega-meetings at Lourdes 150th anniversary, together with all French Bishops, EU Commission's vice-Chairman Barrot, and some 200.000 enthousiastic People from all over Europe and beyond : After a Sea of Lights astonishingly braved Saturday Night's rain, an open-air mass at riverside fields among Pyrenees' Mountains Sunday Morning, was followed on Monday by a Sea of "Compassion" to those facing Health or Life threats, surrounded by an endless gathering of People, whose gigantic dimensions obviously surprised the organisers..
Meanwhile, Benedict had the occasion to speak to the French Priests at Notre Dame of Paris, and with the Bishops at Lourdes, where they prepare a crucial November plenary meeting, due to take important decisions on imminent EU debates and choices about Europe's identity, BioEthics, etc.
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- "A new way of thinking about Laicity has become necessary", agreed the Pope with President Sarkozy at Elysee. While keeping the "distinction between Politics and Religion, to guarantee Citizens' Liberty", "religion is important for shaping Consciousness and contributing, together with others, to create a basic Ethical Consensus in society".
- "Searching Essential realities", (as "God" for christians), needs "Speech : "Logos" in greek, i.e. Reason", "able to shape a Community","with creative work transforming Human History". But "Dialogue" is instrumental for "Reason", because it's the way to "search" for Truth", in "Liberty", according to Greek Platonic Philosophy, with Socrates' dialectics. "Reason" implies "Spirit and Liberty", hence the polyphonic "Music" of "Dialogue", in a responsible, "well balanced" way, to avoid "destruction".
Starting with a "Dialogue between christians and intellectual or artistic movements" highlighted at Bernardins' Cultural Center. with former Presidents Chirac and Giscard d'Estain, UNESCO's chair Anastassopoulos, etc., as well as representatives of Muslim Communities, (including a separate Turkish), after contacts with Jews at Vatican's Embassy, the Pope turned towards the People :
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To French Priests : "Church built on the rock" !
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- Speaking to thousands of French Priests at Notre Dame's Cathedral, Benedict highlighted a solid "Church built on the Rock" of conscious and active persons, transmitting "a lively, energetic and sharp" "God's Speech, actively working on Human History".
"Praying together" with "representatives of Christian Churches and ecclesiastic communities", (as Orthodoxes, Armenians, Protestants, etc), he called "to reinforce the Unity of the church", against "any form of Division", around Holy Spirit', "the Word","Christ's Justice", and "Love" to fellow- humans : Essentials which "resume all holy scripts", as he said.
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To Young People : "New Horizons"
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To some 15.000 enthousiastic Young People at Notre Dame's parvis, along Seine's river, Benedict spoke about "the Energy of the Holy Spirit" and "the Mystery of the Cross" : - "The Holy Spirit opens New Horizons to Human Intelligence .. and makes it conscious of the real greatness of Christ's sacrifice, dying and resurecting for World's life".
Some "may slander you as crazy, laugh at you, or even persecute you. But, "the Holy Cross is a symbol of God's love", and "givesmoral strength" : "Witness of People's pains, it's at the same time, a precious, unique expression of their Hopes", he told them at Paris' dawn.
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Invalides' plateau : "People chosen to become God's friends"
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At the 1st open-air Mass in Paris' center area of Invalides, facing the Grand Palais, along the river Seine, during an impressive gathering of more than 150.000, French Prime Minister Fillon, Ministers Alliot-Marie, Bachelot, Dati, Jouyet, Assembly's President Accoyer, Senate's Chair Poncelet, former 1st Lady Bernadette Chirac, former Prime Minister Raffarin, many foreign Ambassadors, and other political personalities were present. (While earlier, from the Socialist opposition, Paris' Mayor Delanoye, artist Robert Hussein a.o. assisted at the Elysee meeting).
But the "Entry Song" focused on the "People chosen to become God's Friends". The September 11 mass was Dedicated to "Saint Chrysostomus, that great priest of Constantinople", with his "wonderful eloquence and great courage to face challenges", who "made out of despaired and godless people, a people of brothers", opening a possibility to "become all one complete entity", as Pope Benedict reminded.
- "Reason never enters in real contradiction with Faith", stressed Pope Benedict, who prepared his speeches for France during a short Summer rest at Brixen/Bressanone's Seminar, whose Library honors both "Faith and Science".. - "We must use not only our Reason, but also our Faith" : "Get away from Idolatry", "cupidity", "avidity for money, power or even knowledge deviating from essential aims", and other "falses appearances". and "build your Home on the Rock", "with the force that Holy Spirit gives to those who let it act in them", he said to the People of Paris.
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Benedict at Lourdes : - "Become Light (even) in the Dark !"
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- "Our World needs Hope", stressed Pope Benedict, addressing an impressive TorchLight procession at Lourdes' sanctuaries, where a Sea of Lights held by Hundreds of Thousands of People gathered at Pyrenee's Mountains from all over Europe astonishingly kept their flames despite a heavy Rain at a windy Dark Night...
- "150 years earlier (1858 - 2008), ..here, in the cave, ... a simple young girl, Bernadette .. saw a Light". "The everyday life of her Family was, however, made of Misery, Sadness, Sickness, Misunderstandings, Rejection and Poverty... It was hard to live in Jail". Today, "we think to all Human Beings who suffer : The innocent Victims who face Violence, War, Terrorism, Hunger, Injustices, Catastrophes, Hate and Oppression, Violations of Human Dignity and of their fundamental Rights, of their Liberty to act and think. We also think to those who face Familial problems, sufferings from Unemployment, Sickness, Infirmity, Isolation, or their situation as Immigrants, without forgetting those who suffer and die for the name of Christ", he said.
- "But the Shadows of the Earth, did not hinder Sky's Light to shine : <<The Light shines in the Dark>>" ..."A Way full of Light opens in Human History even in its Darkest moments" : ..."As Night falls, Christ tels us : <<- Keep your Lamps alight !>>."Hold a Light while walking in the Night .. sums up our condition as Christians on their way : "We need light, and we are called to become Light !", Benedict stressed to People setting in motion Lights, Flags and Songs with enthousiasm.
"<<- She looked at me as a Person, who speaks to another Person>>, the poor girl had noted."Light emerges from such a Dialogue", stressed the Pope : "A small Flame called Hope, Compassion and Tenderness dwells inside those who return after being moved by Lourdes' experience". "Christ .. entrusts us with the Mission to let the Light of Charity shine : To make of our Prayers an Act of Love to our brothers and to Fraternal Charity", he concluded.
(../..)
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