Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his 7th anniversary as Pope this year. Before becoming
Archbishop of Munich, the then Father Joseph Ratzinger was a Professor of theology
at several university faculties in Germany. His papacy has been marked by his sublime
theological observations in his speeches and homilies. What surprises many people
is that he can also articulate profound ideas on a level young children can understand.
This was demonstrated in his first year as Pope, when he answered questions in St.
Peter’s Square from children about to receive their first Holy Communion.
“I
was intrigued at the thought of the scholar speaking to young children,” said artist
Ann Engelhart. “When I heard he would be speaking to these children in Rome, I thought
I would love to hear what he has to say to them. It was a very important conversation
directed to children, but on their level.”
She soon contacted writer Amy Welborn
to speak about collaborating on a book about the encounter.
“It was a beautiful
event. I wanted to be able to make it available to children and families in a format
that would be usable for them,” Engelhart told Vatican Radio.
The book is called
Friendship With Jesus: Pope Benedict XVI Speaks to Children on their First Holy
Communion. It is a picture book which combines the words of the Pope with
wonderful watercolour paintings by Engelhart.
“It was a very important conversation
directed to children, but on their level. As always, Pope Benedict doesn’t really
talk down to children, he speaks to them.”
Listen to full interview
by Charles Collins with Ann Engelhart: