2011 positive for Pope – Vatican spokesman

(December 30, 2011) Compared to previous years, this year for Pope Benedict XVI has probably been very beautiful and positive with great messages that make us look ahead. This is how Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi summarized for the Pope the year that is ending. “I would say that the Pope has truly accompanied and guided us during this year with great messages and with intense action but also with serenity,” said the Jesuit priest in an interview to Vatican Radio. Reviewing the papal events of 2011, Fr. Lombardi first picked out the Pope's foreign trips to his native Germany, Madrid for the World Youth Day and Benin, saying he underscored the primacy of God in modern secularised society, the vitality of the faith, and reasons for realistic hope for Africa. Another key moment of 2011, Fr. Lombardi said, was the inter-faith meeting in Assisi by representatives of the world’s religions, among them also a few do not recognise a God, but who sincerely seek the truth. During the year, Pope Benedict also proclaimed the “Year of Faith” starting in Oct. 2012, underscoring the need for Christians to the basic exercise of faith. This, Fr. Lombardi said, is associated with one of the great themes of the pontificate: new evangelisation. The Pope’s solidarity visit ahead of this Christmas was a moving encounter with inmates of Rome’s Rebbibia prison, which highlighted the Church message about reconciliation, hope and reintegration into society. The Holy Father’s conversation with astronauts orbiting the earth on board the international space station, showed the Church's benevolence towards scientific research and technology in the service of mankind. Fr. Lombardi also picked out Pope John Paul II’s beatification in May which "mobilised the entire Church" "with immense delight".