Pope Benedict XVI Is a Friend of Jesus, Says Vatican’s spokesman
July 05, 2011: The 60 years of the priesthood of Pope Benedict XVI can be summarized
with the phrase "friend of Jesus," says the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico
Lombardi.
Reflecting on the anniversary of the Pope's priestly ordination on
June 29th, in the most recent edition of the Vatican Television Centre’s weekly program
"Octava Dies", he said that what impresses him most about the Pope "is his insistence
on a personal relationship with Jesus."
"Sixty years of happiness, celebrated
with simplicity and without triumphalism, because they are more a gift than a conquest.
He has been a gift for the Church and, in particular, for all priests, to whom he
has been a great example in their call and their service", the spokesman added.
Father
Lombardi said that the Pontiff's journey has been a "patient" one, moved in serenity
and in difficulty, in the various phases of purification and trial, as also in evangelical
joy."