John Paul II's pontificate began 27 years ago today, the Pope remembers
Vatican City (AsiaNews) Today, the 27th anniversary of John Paul II's election, Pope Benedict XVI said in the Angelus that his predecessor was a "contemplative and a missionary" pope whose moral authority was acknowledged by many non Christians and non believers. As he addressed the Polish pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square, the current Pontiff said he wanted to renew his "own commitment to follow his [predecessor's] teachings".
The Pontiff told the 50,000 present how much John Paul II loved the Rosary prayer which "contributes in a privileged way to widening the communion with Christ, and teaches how to live by keeping one's heart set on Him so that we can radiate towards others and everything his wonderful love".
"In a day just like today, 27 years ago, the Lord called upon Card Karol Wojtyła to succeed John Paul I, who had passed away just over a month after his election," Benedict XVI said. "With John Paul II began one of the longest pontificates in the history of the Church. During [his pontificate] a Pope 'from a faraway country' was acknowledged as a moral authority by many non Christians and non believers as the moving expressions of affection and mourning when he passed away showed."
"The pilgrimage of so many faithful to his tomb in the Vatican Grottos continues uninterrupted and this is sign of how much the beloved John Paul II has entered people's heart, especially for his witness of love and dedication in suffering."
"In him we were able to admire the strength of faith and prayer, and a total trust in the Holiest Mary, who always accompanied and protected him, especially in the most difficult and dramatic moments of his life."
"With his coat of armswhich read 'Totus tuusas evidence, we can say that John Paul II was a pope totally committed to Jesus through Mary."
"He was elected in the middle of the month of the Rosary and I remember that Sunday very well. The crown he held in his hands came to symbolise his pontificate, protected with maternal kindness by the Immaculate Virgin," Benedict XVI added.
"Thanks to radio and television, the faithful around the world were able to join in this Marian prayer and rediscover, through his example and teachings, its true contemplative and Christological meaning (cf Lett. ap. Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 9-17)."
"Truth be told, the Rosary cannot be set against the meditation on the Word of God and the liturgical prayer for it is their natural and ideal counterpart, especially in preparation and thanksgiving for the Eucharistic celebration."
"It is with Mary that we contemplate the Christ of the Gospels and the Sacrament as He goes through the different moments of his life in the joyful, radiant, sorrowful and glorious mysteries. From His Mother we learn how to conform ourselves to Her Divine Son and announce Him with our own life. If the Eucharist is every day's focal point, the Rosary contributes in a privileged way to widening the communion with Christ, and by keeping one's heart set on Him it teaches how to live so that we can spread his wonderful love to others and everything".
"Thanks to an intimate union with God, our beloved Pope John Paul II was a contemplative and a missionary, nourished daily by the Eucharist and long prayers. On this Angelus hour, which was so dear to him, it is sweet and incumbent on us to remember this anniversary and thank to God once again for having given the Church and the world a worthy successor to the Apostle Peter. May the Virgin Mary help us treasure his precious legacy."
After the Marian prayer, Benedict XVI greeted French faithful and reminded everyone that tomorrow is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
"Extreme poverty is a scourge against which humanity must ceaselessly fight. We are called upon to express an ever greater solidarity [to others] so that no one is excluded from society. My prayers go out to the poor who are courageously struggling to live with dignity."
Benedict XVI addressed the civil authorities, urging them "to listen to the cries of the poor and intensify their actions against poverty". He also thanked "those who serve people in need".
"Today," he finally told Polish pilgrims in St Peter waiving their banners and flags, "we remember John Paul II's election to the See of St Peter, the first Polish Pope. In giving thanks to God for his generous service to the Church and the entire human family, we renew our "own commitment to follow his [predecessor's] teachings".
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19/04/2010
