Anybody who has ever had to stand at a podium after a gifted speaker knows how
it might have been for Pope Benedict XVI this week as he has made the first
papal visit to the United States since John Paul II.
His predecessor was the ultimate media-savvy leader. When he came to the
ultimate media-fixated nation, it was a match made in Heaven. Millions of
the faithful and the merely curious flocked to parks and stadiums. People at
times had to be physically restrained from throwing themselves at him. Even
on his last trip here in 1999, visibly deteriorating, his mere presence was
enough to move the least sentimental of grizzled Midwesterners.
The man who became Benedict was never going to match that. It would be rather
like asking an ageing professor of English to take over from Laurence
Olivier as Hamlet. He knows all the lines but he’s not even going to try to
pull off the delivery.
Of course, when he was elected three years ago, the new Pope’s personal
history created its own, somewhat lowered set of expectations. His
membership of the Hitler Youth (actually mandatory for all young Germans,
but why spoil a good story?); his reputation as the fierce intendant of
Catholic orthodoxy; the fact that he spoke English in a vaguely “Ve haf veys
of making you pray!” kind of accent. It was all too delicious for the
headline writers. He was instantly dubbed Panzer Cardinal and The Enforcer.
Before the incense had drifted away from his installation Mass, the world had
determined that this 265th pontiff was a rather disappointing, even
frightening, sort of substitute for the last one, a kind of cross between
Torquemada and Dr Strangelove.
Three years have passed since the fuzzy grey smoke from the Sistine Chapel
announced his elevation and it is clearer than ever on this, his most
visible excursion into the limelight since then, that this is as far from
the reality as it is possible to be.
The visuals of a papal trip are much the same. There are vast Masses in
baseball stadiums, Popemobile-led motorcades along city streets. And though
he may not be a natural, this Pope has a sure grasp of the power of the
image. He speaks to the United Nations today. He extended Passover greetings
to the Jewish people yesterday and met leaders of other religions. On
Sunday, his last day in the US, he pays a symbolic visit to the sacred
American territory of Ground Zero.
But what is most striking, as hundreds of thousands observe this Pope in
person for the first time, is not the visual symbolism, the crowds or the
made-for-TV events, but the imposing beauty and power of his words.
It’s already a cliché in Rome that the crowds came to see John Paul but they
come to hear Benedict. Among those familiar with his career, his reputation
was always that of a fierce intellectual — the theologian and author of
dozens of dense tracts on Christianity. But what was missing was an
understanding of Benedict’s remarkable capacity to use words to speak to the
emotional part of the human brain.
Of course, the Pope will already have known that the US, unlike the Europe he
hopes still to convert, is a religious place. True, as in Europe, there are
a growing number of so-called cafeteria Christians, those who like to choose
from a menu of moral and doctrinal options, who believe religion should be
essentially a kind of divine validation of their own lifestyle rather than a
call to sacrifice and commitment. But America is still fundamentally
receptive to the religious principle, the idea of a single truth rather than
a moral chaos of equally valid beliefs.
It would be a shame, however, if his words to Americans were not heard by
people — Christians and non-Christians everywhere.
He has already startled many with the intensity of his denunciations of the
actions of priests who sexually abused minors — the scandal that has turned
many away from the Church in America and elsewhere — as well as those in the
church hierarchy who enabled them. The Church has seemed reluctant in the
past to make a complete penance for this sin but Benedict’s words this week
will have done much to heal the wounds and restore trust.
Less newsworthy but perhaps more powerful for most listeners has been
Benedict’s eloquence on the spiritual challenges of the modern world. At the
White House, with President Bush at his side, he reminded Americans about
the responsibilities as well as the great opportunities of political and
economic freedom. “Freedom is ever new. It is a challenge held out to each
generation, and it must constantly be won over for the cause of good.”
But the Pope’s most compelling words are a constant reminder of how absurd his
stereotype has been. He speaks repeatedly of the simple beauty of human
love.
Shortly before he became Pope, Benedict told a congregation: “Christianity is
not an intellectual system, a collection of dogmas, or a moralism.
Christianity is instead an encounter, a love story, an event.”
This idea of faith as a love story — God’s love for his people, and our love
for Christ, the human face of God — is what Benedict seems to want us to
understand as the defining theme of his papacy. His first encyclical was not
on birth control or gay marriage, but on what many considered the somewhat
surprising subject of the simple divinity of human love, including the
sanctity of erotic love. This emphasis on the centrality of love to the
human condition is so at odds with the caricature of the doctrinal
vigilante, endlessly lecturing on the perils of sexual intemperance, that it
requires us to think hard about the very nature of religion’s role in modern
life. It is a useful counterweight to the popular secular view that religion
is the root of all human discord.
Three years ago, as John Paul II was laid to rest under St Peter’s, his
extraordinary and epoch-changing ministry at an end, a reporter turned to
one of his colleagues and said, with evident feeling: “There goes one heck
of a story.” But the story, as it happens, lives on, Benedict has opened a
new chapter and if people would only listen they might find it has a
surprising ending.
I struggle to find a single redeeming feature of Christianity, far less Catholicism, that couldn't have been achieved by non-pernicious methods. Education comes with proselytising, emotional comfort based on deception, support group, try the Rugby Club. You guys are so last season.
Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan
I departed Roman Catholicism many years ago. Despite its own crimes against humanity in the past, it has always preached what its saints have practised - love, mercy & forgivness.It teaches Jesus was both human & God. Is it tending more towards its humanism now & neglecting God
as ineffable?
Joan Moira Peters, Whangarei (UK Citizen, temp. o/seas in New Zealand)
I departed Roman Catholicism many years ago. Despite its own crimes against humanity in the past, it has always preached what its saints have practised - love, mercy and forgiveness. It teaches Jesus as both human & God. Is it
tending more towards its humanism now and neglecting God
as ineffable?
Joan Moira Peters, Whangarei (UK Citizen, temp. o/seas in New Zealand)
Agree with those Americans who criticise the U.K. Here our protests against religion are strident, shrill, intolerant, intemperate and ranting. We silence it as if there were no freedom of religion or freedom of speech. We hold Nietzsche, Marx and Freud up as demi-gods in almost religious esteem.
McGinty, Glasgow, U.K.
Chris, our teachers are responsible for more child abuse than our priests - are you against schools too?
Chris Ohnimus, Lansing, USA
As widespread and rampant and PROVEN as the sex abuse in the Catholic church is, I think anyone who has kids and participates in this mockery endorses child rape.
Chris Wingo, Phoenix, USA
Any religion, no matter its ancient past, that preaches peace, tolerance, love and understanding in today world is alright by me. Its who is attacking who religiously today, in real time, that matters to me. I havnt seen too many Buddist and Christian religious wars lately.
William, Atlanta, USA
How fitting it is to have an ex Nazi installed as Pontiff I myself was reared a Catholic and educated by the SS Sisters of Salvation and having had the faith injected through the skin of my back with little cane rods until clouds of dust left further education fruitless,
Peter K, Vancouver BC., Canada
Same arguments, different day. Why bother disucssing. Just respect each other's beliefs and let that be the end.
kris, Bristol,
Celibacy was practiced by priests in many parts of the world even before it became mandatory in catholic church. Most orthodox bishops are chosen from unmarried priests.
Dony, Dayton, USA
If you see the documentary "Deliver Us from Evil" the history of the Catholic Church going back to the beginning where the priests could marry and have children. Since the priests left their fortunes to their first born, the church decided they couldn't marry, leaving their $$ to the church.
Gayl, Dallas, TX
The real god of peace is the Flying Spaghetti Monster. No one ever died for the cause of Pastafarism. As for the Pope saying that religion isn't a fairy tale, that's like saying that Little Red Riding Hood isn't a fairy tale. Being honest with the facts isn't cheapening, it's just HONEST.
Linda , Florida, USA
People will never agree about the issue of God! I believe in God, passionately. I deeply respect thoughtful atheists. But please - lets not cheapen the argument by accusing believers of believing fairy tales, or dragging up the old 'religion causes wars' argument. Politics causes wars too, but should we abandon politics? What about the mass murders committed by professed 'atheists' of the last century (e.g. Stalin)? But nobody is saying that atheism breeds mass murder - or I dearly hope they are not. 'Religion' is a word that covers - or includes - a multitude of sins. Let's all be mature here. There are thoughtless and murderous people who lay claim to both religion and atheism. There are also some very immature arguements both for and against God's existence - that doesn't make all believers in God believers in fairy tales. Let's respect and love one another - even if we disagree.
Thank you, Pope Benedict.
Kenneth Cross, Porlock, UK
It is really interesting to read comments by some readers , e.g. Alan`s concerning his way of speaking: if anyone is able to explain complex issues about religion in very understandable language, it is the pope. All the talk about the 'holy' inqusition shows much lack of knowledge - please refer to the latest historical research. And, lastely, all the 'bad' messages during John Paul II.'s reign is attributed to Ratzinger - but, John Paul II was not a great Theologist wiht the respective understanding of the history and purpose of catholic thology, but his field was rather philosophy, where he made up his own niches for Maria cult, Opus Dei and other, in my view rather dangerous stuff. All the invocations of saints were his decision, certainly not Ratzinger's It seems, that most people who judge on Benedict have no clus about his real character and intellectual capacity.
Gerd, Frankfurt, Germany
American Catholics really don't care what some snobby Brits think about the Holy Father. Whether some anti-papist Limeys like it, or not, Pope Benedict is highly esteemed, and the Catholic Church is a powerful "sleeping giant" in the USA. In all other matters, "cheers," to all European pseudo-intellectuals from God's Country.
Erin G. Bragh, Sioux City, Iowa
John Lennon also sugested we love one another,but was dismissed by many. When the Pope says it we fall on our knees in astonished wonder.
Iain Rae, Tunbridge Wells, U.K.
Pope Benedict: not a media icon, thank heaven. A scholar & who manages to succeed in getting things done on the quiet.
Ian, London,
Someone actually listened to the guy!!!
Shocking really.
David, Edinburgh, Scotland
Well said.
Denis, Colchester,
Reading your article and others in the same vein makes me hope that one day the current Pope will receive and accept an invitation to visit Beijing. Much of what Benedict XVI preaches may find willing ears in China's leadership as the basis for the social cohesion and harmony that will be the bedrock for the country's economic growth.
Peter, Shanghai,
Owen edwards
The teachings of Jesus are undoubtedly a rich philosophy to learn from, but I find the idea that Jesus died so others can live to be completely illogical. That part of the Jesus story departs drastically from the path of previous Old testament prophets. So if a person does not believe in the divinity of Jesus or that he died for the sins of people, are they condemned, like jews are in the eyes of many fervent christians?
heath, Cairo, egypt
Reading some of the comments here it really is impossible to say anything about Religion in the UK without the usual suspects coming out of the woodwork to lambast all religious belief and blame religion in general for all the ills of man. Please grow up, I have yet to hear this pope speak of anything but love and forgiveness so what's your beef? The Catholic church is made up of sinners, including the pope (ex-cathedra of course) so naturally there are dark periods in the oldest living institution but it's central tenets are true and all it's detractors together have and will never come close to the sublime message of goodness and hope that was founded by Christ himself in the church.
John, Limerick, Ireland
Well said Mr Edwards! We are wonderful creatures at our best but we can easily make terrible mistakes. That is the point of Christianity- we need a little help and guidance to be better. The Church was given to Peter- an imperfect but good man- a recognition that we are flawed. Sadly Christians have done terrible things in history but they missed the point - as Mr Edwars points out this does not make the point itself bad. Christians are just people and we make mistakes too.
Miss B, London, Uk
Here we call him the Rat in the Vat for obvious reasons.
The red shoes give all the clues one needs.
The days of priests and gurus are over.
Lilith Barrett, Dublin, Ireland
I can agree with this article because I was also very sceptical when Herr Ratzinger was elected pope.
I am born catholic but never was very happy with this religion and repeatedly thought about converting to buddhism or at least to a protestant church.
But when I watched Benedict on television, when he visited Germany and his home Bavaria, I was really impressed by his speeches and then began to understand what this faith is all about.
Now I even consider to read some books of him, unthinkable just a few years ago.
Juergen T., Stuttgart, Germany
Great article!
Charlotte, Newhaven,
It would be a good idea to consider for Pope Ben to round up his visit to philistine America with a piano recital of Bach the Protestant, and Mozart the Catholic. Now that would be truly ecumenical.
SD Goh, PJ, Malaysia
There is always a possibility that Pope Benedict s choice of name was influenced by Sir Julius Benedict, 1804-1885, a successful German born musician who studied in Weimar and subsequently had conducting posts in Vienna, Naples, Goa, and Paris, before settling in England from 1935 until his death. He held a variety of posts in England, conducting the Norwich Festival and the Liverpool Philharmonic Society, besides writing a large number of operas and oratorios.
Henry Percy, London, UK
Ya know , even if the Pope gave away his golden brocaded garments or the Vatican its art treasures, do you think it would make much of a dent in the world's poor? For how long? As Jesus said - the poor will always be among us.
However, we can all try do to something to allieviate their suffering, such as donating to charitable causes on a regular basis.
Eva S., Chicago, USA
The old crusades argument. The islamic armies were only stopped at Tours in 742 by Henry Martel when invading Northern Europe. They seized palestine in the 7th century, knocked down the Holy Sepulchre in 1009, charged for it to be rebuilt in 1039 then kidnapped and killed pilgrims. Not enough to provoke a crusade.
Following an overall peace in europe which left a lot of armed
armed knights with nothing more to do than fight one another and terrorise the local population, they were encouraged to go to the aid of Byzantium who had requested help.
In the end constantinople was the biggest loser, they were appalled by the crusaders.
It was like the others a political decision. People kill not religion.
I expect if you asked the SS to put their hands up if they were christians it would not take too long to count.
Many african churches are funding Missionaries to go to western europe as they feel we have lost the faith and need converting
John, Tiverton,
Simply ridiculous.
Why don't you leave public relations for Ratzinger to the paid teams in the Vatican?
JOHN CHUCKMAN, toronto, Canada
Did someone just suggest the Holocaust was the product of Christ's message?
Quickly, we best get a memo out to Bonhoeffer, Kolbe and the rest! They were apostate!
What a ludicrous statement.
And people getting Christ's message wrong - as we all know the Inquisition did, except those disingenuous folk who choose to blame it on Christ himself (self-sacrificial, pacifistic, inspiration for such warlike fellows as the Mahatma, Dr King, Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela)...people ignoring or twisting Jesus' message does not devalue it. Indeed, the fact the core was so inspiring and beautiful was what let corrupters hide their hate behind the veneer of the original purity.
Owen Edwards, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK
Owen Edwards, Hertfordshire, UK
I beg to differ with your views, but admit when you say that 'Let us love one another ' I seem to agree with you 100%. The rest is baloney. Jesus Christ and God and holy ghost, these are stories for blind faithfuls. You need more space to discuss, but even that is no guaranty that we will convince each other. Carry on with you dreams; I am sure that makes you happy.
SharifL, Nidder, Germany
John Paul II's big issue was communism. It will be interesting to see if Benedict will continue to promote the Christian concept of God's love against the major threat of our times, the Muslim concept of submission and its extension into politics. Whether you believe in God or not, we need to be aware of how Christian teachings underpin our society, and how Islamic teachings seek to undermine it. Benedict's previous comments on Islam and the recent conversion of a Muslim journalist to Christianity on Easter Sunday all point to a willingness to take on the issue. Will there be more to say at the World Trade Center site?
David Alexander, London, UK
From rottweiler to bunny? I wonder> He held very strong conservative views in the past and has been known to defend the treatment of Galileo, FOR BEING RIGHT.
M. Cawdery, Portadown, Co. UK, EU.
When he was Cardinal Ratzinger his reputation was that of "God's rottweiler." So when he became Pope Benedict many were expecting his first encyclical to be "Mit gepanzerte Faust" (With Mailed Fist). Evidently the stereotype does not fit.
David, Edison, USA
Of course he is a Doctor Strangelove. Until he sanctions the use of condoms, he is responsible for a Hiroshima of AIDS-related deaths every year.
Greg Hoover, London,
Why do people keep saying how "eloquent" he is, or how "beautifully" he speaks? I can assure you that - even when he's speaking his native German - he sounds like a boring old f ... ellow.
alan, germany,
Christianity never killed anyone???? Let's start with the crusades, continue with the dark ages of witch hunting, moving on the the Inquisition (4 centuries), plus the forced christianization of native south-americans and africans, finishing with 6 million Jews killed by Christians in the first half of the 20th Century. The catholic Church supported all dictators in Europe; ask the Portuguese and the Spanish.
Isabel, Setúbal, Portugal
Christianity never killed anyone.
People using religion as a tool is a very effective way of killing people.
The muslims, Sikhs, Hindus I grew up with in Africa were all people of God.
Power corrupts and leaders start believing in themselves.
I have admired the new pope as he is standing his ground on issues while expressing compassion for those involved.
Christianity is a personal faith, I am responsible to god directly for my actions in thought and deed. The difficult bit is that we have free will and I will make a mess of it.
Doesn't mean you have to stop trying
John, Tiverton,
Sharif, your view seems to be based on the view that the only God anyone believes in a magic man who, somehow, is neglecting to aid us, and is therefore evil or does not exist.
God is the ground of meaning; the Divine is that which inspires us, all those qualities in us and in life that are numinous, mysterious, beautiful; Christ is important and relevant still not because of the crude literalisation of "paying for sins" but that, as a man infused with Divine spirit, he suffered because of our sins and so that we might see there was a better way to live our lives. He died so we might live - and with abundance.
Don't expect miracles - if they do happen, they are inexplicable. Instead, in this world where we have free will and a science we may comprehend and utilise, let us love one another - that is God in action.
Owen Edwards, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK
I personally think that pope Benedict is quite familiar with one of the titles the pope holds, the one of the "servus servorum dei". The servant of the servants of god. So I don't think he's eating from golden plates. I think, he's eating less, and less glamorous than even some of us, because he's not preaching water and drinking wine. He's far too modest for that.
That said, I don't like him really either, but I think he does a great job.
Gregor F., Würzburg, Germany
Nigel - he wears the vestments because he is offering the sacrifice of the Holy mass to God the Father. In his own quarters, he lives simply and humbly. Think of the many religious men and women and laity who give up everything and live a life of true simplicity, before you start down the hypocrisy route. And by the way - what jewel encrusted mitre?
Tom Martin, Corsham, UK
Benedict and John-Paul are a pair. JP more or less anointed his successor and those who elected him knew well that he had great intellectual gifts and a loving personality. His eloquence allied to a dep understanding of theology (which means after all "knowing God" ) have always been the most attractive feastures of of his writings - plenty to be found !
He would even bear humbly with the silly comments about "silver goblets" - just the sort of thing that puritans would have attacked Jesus for when he dined with the rich, as he did
JSP
james pullen, st ives, cambs
You claim, that this idea of faith as a love story — God’s love for his people, and our love for Christ. The faithful will digest everything, but those who think, I find no love story. there are millions of people starving to death, there were million butchered by ruthless dictators, not to mention by the powerful 'democrats. there are diseases and persecution of minorities everywhere, including the west. If we humans have children, we try our best to look after them; obviously God is less caring than us human beings. Let us live our lives without God's love, nothing will change in our lives one way or the other
SharifL, Nidder, Germany
The Pope chose to name himself after Benedict XV who died of a broken heart after failing to prevent WW1 and its wholesale destruction of youth.
His mission is therefore one of reconciliation and not of division.
Peter B, Lincoln,
What's that, God? Why do i live in a opulent Palace and wear Gold braided, bejeweled robes and a jewel encrusted Mitre? Why am wearing more Gold than Mr.T? And Why do i feast and drink from Silver goblets and Golden plates when Millons of my fellow man Lay penniless, thirsty, starving and racked with disease in slums across the Globe? Good question! Oh Lord.
Nigel, Whitby, u.k.
Many political and spiritual leaders have made 'awesome' speeches, not always resulting in the ethical, altruistic or empathic behaviour of the listeners - religious fanatics are a prime example. Physical and spiritual harmony can only be achieved at the grass roots, but caring for ones offspring, working hard and living life valuing others. None of the latter are overtly valued by our current politicians where family life is constantly being undermined.
sk, East Sussex, East Sussex
Congratulations for writing an article that left me wanting to know more of this man.
Andrew, Jakarta, Indonesia
I chose to read this article on Pope Benedict XVI as a means
of information about his US visit. But as I went along, the
pase changed, to my surprise, in a dramatic stance which
gradually caught completely my attention. The writer does
a lovely job describing his impact on people, so much differ
ent from Pope John Paul's. It is so very true that the image
that was brought to us upon getting into Peter's sandals was
a rather gloomy and stern one. Not attractive by any means;
but evidently he has put his best foot forward to gain friends
instead of turning them off. I am delighted by his visit to
USA
Marixenia Duque, Panama City, Panama, Panama
You should have watched the TV coverage of his predecessor's burrial mass: the then Cardinal Ratzinger was a great, emotional performer when officiating it, speaking beautifully. The same happened when he was elected Pope and had to appear at the window for the first time - everything was perfectly timed, excecuted and said. In some ways, he's even better at this public-appearance stuff than John Paul II was, less flashy, more earnest and truthful.
As Bush so eloquently put it: "Your Holiness, awesome speech!"
Only those not following closely could ever have mistaken him for a Dr Strangelove.
Robert, Belgrade, Serbia
Beautifully put.
Michael, Farnham Common,