Hopefully these public manifestations will soon become quite common and the photos will be easy to find. For now, here are four new images of Pope Emeritus Benedict, to whom all of us involved in liturgical song owe so very much.
A further note: Monsignor Alfred Xuereb, Papal Secretary to both our Holy Father Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict, yesterday gave an address in honor of a new book of Pope Benedict’s, on care for creation. From what I gather from the press in languages other than English, the talk was full of fascinating anecdotes.
More to follow.
We live in some very interesting times… Just think: If he was forced to resign, he is still Pope!
It is good to see Pope Benedict up and about. I feared when he resigned that death was imminent. May God continue to bless him
Love to read news like this about our beloved Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI!!! I really envy people who can see him now! Today there's also news that we can download from the Vatican website what he has written about social communications during his eight years of pontificate. By the way, is it possible to find someone translate into English what Mons. Xuereb said about Benedict XVI's care for creation? I pray for him daily and may God bless him forever!
Alas I don't have enough Italian to translate, and I'm unable to find a translation as yet. Hopefully one will become available down the road.
From what I gather, however, perhaps this general point could be made. Monsignor Xuereb mentions in the interview that he has wanted for some time to say something to correct a mistaken impression about Pope Emeritus Benedict, and says that from daily contact, he knows him to be exquisitely sensitive to the feelings of others, and able to make and sustain strong relationships. Similarly, the Pope Emeritus is also very open to and sensitive to nature–and not only to cats, but to birds, scenery, and all of nature. Human beings, from their creation, have been placed in a custodial position regarding nature, and we have a responsibility as caretakers, not just dominating but truly caring for creation, including the human creation.
When Pope Benedict XVI resigned, I felt hopelessly frustrated, even devastated, because (still operating out of some self-interest) as a classically-schooled church organist steeped in Gregorian chant, I wondered who'd still be on my side in the endless wars of liturgy which can be so disruptive professionally? So again I fight my own battles, but obviously the Pope Emeritus, whom I've adored from the get-go, is already way more than papal history. I am overjoyed just to observe now that he not only hosted & led a Gregorian liturgy for the recent Mater Ecclesiae Marian Day ceremony, but that he is settled, productive, well & above all, happy – so contrary to my initial forebodings, Benedict XVI is still present & very much with us. God bless & keep him always!
Here's an excerpt (my translation):
Q. In everyday life, how did Benedict XVI show his love for nature and for animals?
A. I can say that the first image that comes to mind is that he would always relax in front of animals and nature; that he liked to be outside, when he went out for a walk, especially when his brother came from Germany. Perhaps remembering the times when, as a boy in Germany, he went walking in nature. But we should also say that Pope Benedict is not only fond of cats, but loves all the animals. Speaking of birds, I can tell an anecdote. A few years ago, in the autumn, while walking in the Vatican Gardens reciting the Rosary, we often noticed a white blackbird. After the rosary he asked whether I had noticed it, and suggested I go and take a few pictures of the bird. With the help of our photographers, who had better cameras than mine, I went out and shot a few pictures. When he saw them, his expression was marvelous. He said these were photos worth publishing, and a few days later, the pictures ended up in the Osservatore Romano.
And another: at the end of general audiences, parishes come bringing statues depicting saints. I remember that I said to the Pope that one of the saints he had blessed on that occasion had a dog beside him. He answered: "Alfred, saints like that aren't just friendlier, they become more human." That is a stroke that reveals his attention to the presence of the animal world near those human beings, who thereby become saints closer to our daily life, so we can turn to them in trust. That's a very beautiful thing.