#everoldalwaysnew

(Picture taken by Ivan Navarro. Copyright ®)

These days with everything that is happening here in Rome is certainly providential to feel that God is manifesting his infinite and perfect Love through the actions, words and decisions of Pope Benedict XVI. That's not only what I hope and feel but what I believe.

Today the Pope met with all the priests that serve the ancient Diocese of Rome. Two of our Somascan fathers from the Basilica of St. Boniface and Alexis, where I currently live, participated in the event at the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican. They came back in time to have lunch with me and the others. While eating, they described the Pope's gentle and paternal form of recounting to them his personal experiences at the Second Vatican Council. He spoke as a true shepherd of Christ and a man of God, just as he spoke in the homily that I went to hear in person at St. Peter's last night. 

Here in Rome we the faithful are seeing in Benedict XVI a man that continues to bring men to God and God to man even in these last days of his papacy. His witness to those of us who are seeing him in person is so strong and inspiring. Even in his decision of leaving he is donating his life entirely to the Almighty in God's Church.

What's so historical and new about this moment in the Church's history, truly, is the way the Pope is leaving. Yes, is not the first time a pope leaves the papal ministry but this is the first time a pope does it out of free will and proclaiming publicly that such action is for the better of the Church. 

Dear friends, God is teaching us clearly that we are called to serve Jesus Christ only and none other. He is teaching us that only with Jesus Christ we can build God's Kingdom on Earth and we can renew this old and ever-renewing Church. He is teaching us that the way to enter into a perfect communion with God is humility and love for Him and for others in our state of life, in our social and eccelesial roles. God is lovingly teaching all of these salvific truths, and more, through Pope Benedict XVI.