Pope Benedict recalls Pope John Paul I as teacher of humility
(September 29, 2008) Although Pope John Paul II was Pontiff for only 33 days, he
left a great spiritual legacy, said Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday. He said this as
he reflected on the readings from Sunday’s liturgy before praying the traditional
midday ‘Angelus’ with the crowds gathered in the courtyard of the papal summer residence
of Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome. He noted that the Gospel parable proposed by the
liturgy "teaches us that humility is essential for welcoming the gift of salvation."
The parable from Matthew speaks of two sons who were asked by their father to do some
work in his vineyard. One of the two sons said yes, but did not go; the other refused,
but then changed his mind and went. The Pontiff added that the reading from the
Letter to the Philippians also calls for humility urging us to do nothing out of selfishness
or vainglory, but to humbly regard others as superior to you. These Biblical texts,
the Pope said, remind him of Pope John Paul I, whose 30th death anniversary occurred
on Sunday, Sept. 28. Pope Benedict noted that John Paul I - known as the "smiling
Pope" - had as his motto “Humilitas” - "a single word that synthesizes what is essential
in Christian life and indicates the indispensable virtue of those who are called to
the service of authority in the Church." The Holy Father noted that his successor,
who died in 1978, had recommended in one of his four general audiences one virtue
so dear to the Lord – that of meekness and humility of heart. "Humility can be considered
his spiritual legacy," Pope Benedict added. He also greeted English-speaking pilgrims
in theri language: Listen! I offer
a warm welcome to the English-speaking visitors gathered for this Angelus prayer.
My special greeting goes to the students from Aquinas College in Australia and to
the members of the Fatima pilgrimage from the Philippines. In today’s Gospel, the
Lord asks us to reflect whether we are obedient to the Father in word alone, or truly
committed to following his will in our daily lives. May his words inspire in us a
spirit of genuine conversion and an ever more generous commitment to the spread of
the Gospel. Upon you and your families I cordially invoke God’s blessings of wisdom,
joy and peace!