Pope Benedict pays a hospital visit to Cardinal Etchegaray

Pope Benedict XVI paid a call Saturday on 87-year-old French Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, hospitalized with a broken hip from the Christmas Eve Mass papal knock-down. The Associated Press reports:

Benedict embraced 87-year-old French Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who wore a gray dressing gown during the early evening visit by the pontiff at Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic.

The Vatican said the pope and Etchegaray chatted cordially in French during the 30-minute visit, which hadn't been announced in advance.

"The pope expressed his interest and spiritual closeness" to Etchegaray, whose recovery was going well following surgery shortly after the injury, the Vatican said.

(HT: The Benedict Forum).

01-15-10: Update! - Zenit reports that Cardinal Roger Etchegaray has been discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital.

"Nic Cage as Pope Benedict XVI"

Some Friday humor from the blog Nic Cage as Everyone ("founded on the belief that everything in life would be better with a little more Nic Cage, the most unique and versatile actor of his generation"), I give you "Nick Cage as Pope Benedict XVI":

Pope Benedict Roundup!

• From Zenit News, the report that "Some 2.2 million people gathered last year with Benedict XVI in his public audiences and liturgical celebrations held in the Vatican or the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo."

• The Rome Jewish Community confirmed that a visit to the capital's synagogue by Pope Benedict XVI will go ahead as planned, despite the controversy surrounding his proclaiming as "venerable" Pope Pius X.

• St. Peter's Basilica now safer for Pope following Christmas security breach (Catholic News Agency):

  Changes have been made at St. Peter's Basilica after a security breach on Christmas Eve that left the Pope on the floor and a cardinal hospitalized. A meeting was held between heads of security and the Vatican Secretary of State in the days following the incident and at least one visible measure has been taken to prevent similar disturbances in the future.

  According to Andrea Tornielli of Il Giornale, the obvious modification is a widening of the aisle in which the Pontiff, concelebrants and accompanying servers process to the altar. Barriers that before separated Pope Benedict from attendees by a couple of steps have been moved farther outwards to expand the procession space.

• Responding to Pope Benedict XVI's "World Day of Peace" message (and its theme of protecting the environment), PETA’s Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs, Bruce Friedrich, took the opportunity to ask him to serve only vegan meals at the Vatican.

• "Inside and outside the Vatican, 2009 was busy year for the Pope," says Jon Thavis (Catholic News Service) in a look back at 2009:

  The Year of St. Paul. The Year for Priests. A major social encyclical. A Holy Land pilgrimage. A first meeting with President Obama. Ten new saints. An African trip and an African synod. A Facebook debut. A controversial concession to Catholic traditionalists. An unexpected overture to disaffected Anglicans.

  And those are just the highlights, of course.

  Pope Benedict's 2010 schedule promises to be a busy one as well:

  On the horizon for the next 12 months are four papal trips; a Middle East Synod of Bishops; the expected publication of a document on the Bible and the second volume of "Jesus of Nazareth;" a major gathering of the world's priests; a pilgrimage to the Shroud of Turin; a probable consistory and several likely canonizations and beatifications -- including that of Pope John Paul II.

  In April Pope Benedict marks five years in office, and the event will no doubt be marked by modest festivities and lots of analysis on the accomplishments and priorities of the German pontiff, who turns 83 the same month. [More]

  On that note, check out Luke Coppen's "The 10 most important Catholic moments of the decade" (Catholic Herald) and John Allen, Jr.'s The biggest Vatican stories of the decade (National Catholic Reporter).

• "The Vatican vs. Copenhagen" (Carl Olson, Insight Scoop) | "Cultivate Creation": Benedict's Green Revolution (Sandro Magister, Chiesa) -- on those who "have attempted, either through misunderstanding or misrepresentation, to portray Benedict as a thoroughgoing environmentalist in the mold of Al Gore and Co."

• David Schütz (Sentire Cum Ecclesia), on Ratzinger's "Mustard Seed":

  At the time of the Holy Father’s election (in fact, even before it in this remarkable reading of the cards by Spengler) many speculated that this would become a key theme of his pontificate. In fact, this has not been so. Perhaps, as with so many other of Cardinal Ratzinger’s well known ideas, the idea has become transmuted with his changing role in the Church, for since his election, Pope Benedict has not returned to this theme – at least not in exactly this same guise. He has mentioned the “mustard seed” parable a couple of times ... but not with quite the same application. Except for the last example above (which is addressed to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and is in reference to the dwindling size of the Christian population in the Holy Land), since his election as Supreme Pontiff he seems to use the image more as an encouragement for Christian witness and evangelisation – with the implication that the little things we do will bear great fruit.

• Reading Peter Seewald's interview with then-Cardinal Ratzinger, Salt of the Earth, Julie D (Happy Catholic) discovers "the thoughtfulness of Pope Benedict XVI".

New book on Benedict - coming this January

The Social and Political Thought of Benedict XVI by Thomas Rourke. Lexington Books (January 2010) Covering the entire trajectory of his religious life, this meticulously researched book identifies the roots of political and social order in Pope Benedict XVI's philosophy and analyzes his views on the role of Christian faith in politics. Although not generally characterized as a political philosopher, the Benedict's writings shed significant and unique light on the world of politics today. In an age when modern politics has lost sight of its proper relationship within the larger scheme of human affairs and existence, Thomas R. Rourke shows that, as both Pope and the former Cardinal Ratzinger, Benedict has made a conscious effort to relate political issues to the broader dialogue on human endeavor, ethics, and culture. Bringing to the fore Benedict's belief on the necessary place of the Christian tradition in a contemporary politics of reason, Rourke details the Pope's contribution to solving the deeper problems of politics today. A valuable study in political theory and religion, this book should be read by those interested in Catholic social and political thought. Thomas R. Rourke is chair of the political science and philosophy department at Clarion University.

Pope Benedict XVI forgives his attacker - sends rosary in return!

Pope Benedict XVI's personal secretary has visited the mentally disturbed woman who assaulted the pontiff at Mass on Christmas Eve (BBC News, January 3, 2010):

Monsignor Gaenswein made the visit to convey Pope Benedict's concern for the woman's situation, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told the Associated Press news agency.

He saw Ms Maiolo at a hostel for people with psychiatric problems in the town of Subiaco.

According to Il Giornale, the papal aide brought her a rosary and told her the Pope believed in her good intentions and had pardoned her.

The paper added that an elderly French cardinal, Roger Etchegaray, who suffered a broken hip during the incident in St Peter's, had also passed on his forgiveness.

(HT: Carlos Echevarria).

Pope Benedict XVI's Christmas

Pope Benedict XVI kneels in prayer during Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009. Associated Press 12/24/09.

• Urbi et Orbi Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Christmas 2009
• Pope Benedict XVI's homily for the Christmas Vigil Mass in the Vatican. (Zenit)
• Pope Benedict XVI's Christmas Greetings to the Roman Curia. (Zenit)

Pope knocked down as he enters Christmas Eve Mass; Pope forgives!

A woman jumped the barriers in St. Peter's Basilica and knocked down Pope Benedict XVI as he walked down the main aisle to begin Christmas Eve Mass (Associated Press):

The 82-year-old pope quickly got up and was unhurt, said a Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Ciro Benedettini. Footage aired on Italy's RAI state TV showed a woman dressed in a red jumper vaulting over the wooden barriers and rushing the pope before being swarmed by bodyguards.

The commotion occurred as the pope's procession was making its way toward the main altar and shocked gasps rang out through the public that packed the basilica. The procession came to a halt and security rushed to the trouble spot.

Benedettini said the woman who pushed the pope appeared to be mentally unstable and had been arrested by Vatican police. He said she also knocked down Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who was taken to hospital for a check up.

"During the procession an unstable person jumped a barrier and knocked down the Holy Father," Benedettini told The Associated Press by telephone. "(The pope) quickly got up and continued the procession."

Raw video of the incident. (The Holy Father appears to be ok). More here:

Update!

• According to the New York Times, The woman who leapt at Pope Benedict XVI during Christmas Eve Mass, causing him to trip and fall, had tried the same thing last year, only to be stopped by security.
• The woman who knocked down Pope Benedict XVI has been hospitalized, the Vatican said on Friday. (AFP)
• Protecting the Pope: Keeping Him Safe But Open, by Jeff Israely. Time December 26, 2009.
• Vatican mulls options over woman who lunged at pope Reuters. Decembet 26, 2009.
• Pope Benedict forgives Susanna Maiolo one day after she knocked him down during Christmas Eve Mass December 26, 2009.

"God conquers our hearts not by force, but by love"

In these last days before Christmas, the Church invites us to contemplate the mystery of Christ’s Birth and to experience the joy and hope which the newborn Saviour brings into our world. Gazing on the Christ Child lying in the manger, we contemplate the love of a God who humbly asks us to welcome him into our hearts and into our world. By coming among us as a helpless Child, God conquers our hearts not by force, but by love, and thus teaches us the way to authentic freedom, peace and fulfilment. This Christmas, may the Lord grant us simplicity of heart, so that we may recognize his presence and love in the lowly Babe of Bethlehem, and, like the shepherds, return to our homes filled with ineffable joy and gladness.

Pope Benedict XVI
General Audience, December 23, 2009.

Pope Benedict XVI declares John Paul II and Pius XII "Venerable"

Today, reports the New York Times, Pope Benedict XVI moved two of his predecessors a step closer to sainthood, confirming the “heroic virtues” of John Paul II and, in a surprise move, of Pius XII, the pope during World War II:

After John Paul’s death in April 2005, Benedict bypassed a traditional waiting period to put the much beloved pope on a fast-track to sainthood. At John Paul’s funeral, crowds at Saint Peter’s Square chanted “santo subito,” or “sainthood now.” ...

Benedict has said that Pius worked “secretly and silently” to help save Jews. Although a Vatican committee confirmed his “heroic virtues” in 2007, Benedict had asked for time for reflection, which many saw as a diplomatic effort aimed at calming polemics.

On Saturday, the pope confirmed the committee’s findings. Before the two popes can become saints, another Vatican committee must determine that miracles have been attributed to them.

As the Times notes, Pius XII has been " point of contention between the Vatican and some Jewish groups, who say he did not do enough to stop the Holocaust." (See: "Pope Pius XII on the Jews archive for news and commentary on this particular topic).

From the Vatican, the 21 decrees of the Congregation for Saints' Causes approved today by Benedict XVI.

Send Pope Benedict a virtual Christmas Card!

The Vatican Web page Pope2you.net has made it possible this Christmas to send Benedict XVI a personalized Christmas card through e-mail or Facebook:

Upon visiting the site -- www.pope2you.net, launched by the Vatican Council for Social Communications in May, click on "Send the Pope your Christmas Greetings." Simply follow the instructions and a personalized, virtual card will be sent to the Holy Father. Even a picture can be included.

Pope2you.net is also offering a Facebook application that one can use to send Christmas cards to friends that feature an official picture of the Pope as taken by L'Osservatore Romano, accompanied by the Pontiff's "words of hope and peace."

The cards can be sent in English, Italian, Spanish, German and French, and there are four options to choose from.

(HT: Zenit).

Change in Mass schedule prompts speculation over Pope's Health

A Vatican spokesman said the decision to move the traditional Christmas Midnight Mass to 10:00pm was taken nearly two months ago, "to tire the pope a little less". CBS News' "The Early Show" reports:

The pontiff has "a very full schedule for a person more than 80 years old," the spokesman added.

The mass generally lasts about 90 minutes, and the Pope has to be back in St Peter's Square on Christmas morning to deliver the "Urbi et Orbi," his annual message to the city and the world. [...]

Benedict suffered a mild stroke in 1991, is thought to have had another one just before he was elected Pope, and broke his wrist in a fall while on holiday in the Italian Alps in July.

Vatican sources, who will only speak off the record, say Benedict is "tired," and meets with only a small number of close advisers.

His personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Ganswein, is said by Vatican insiders to be assuming more and closer control over Benedict's schedule.

On the other hand, Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, told Agence France Presse that he was “astonished” to encounter speculation about the Pontiff’s health:

Father Lombardi responded that the Vatican has deliberately avoided placing undue demands on the stamina of the 82-year-old Pontiff, and the earlier Mass would allow him to have a full night’s rest before Christmas Day. “It is a sensible precaution,” said the Vatican spokesman, and “no cause for concern or alarm.”