Vatican City, 11 February 2014: A year ago, on 11 February, the Church and the world
were shocked by the resignation of Benedict XVI from the Petrine ministry. At first
the announcement was with astonishment and great disturbance. But in the following
days, its significance was slowly understood as an act of far-sighted wisdom, which
only a Pontiff of extraordinary spiritual intelligence – could do.
When Pope
Benedict XVI to the Cardinals in the Consistory hall, that he is going to announce
a "decision of great importance in the life of the Church", everyone sharpened their
ears to capture what is coming – then came the tsunami, announcement of his resignation.
The impact of the tsunami left everyone stunned. The media went crazy, tweeting
filled the web, just saying Benedict XVI "resigned". This first piece of information
was emotional, so was the reaction of anyone. Wave of unbelief was followed by confusion
and uncertainties.
But clarity followed when Pope Benedict XVI explained two
days later at the General audience. He said: I decided to give up the ministry that
the Lord has entrusted to me April 19, 2005. I did this in full freedom for the good
of the Church, after having prayed at length and having examined my conscience before
God…."
That Wednesday coincides with the beginning of Lent and the crowd moved
in the afternoon in the Vatican Basilica for the rite of ashes. It is the Angelus
on Sunday, February 24th , Pope Benedict said: "The Lord is calling me
to 'climb the mountain', to devote even more to prayer and meditation. But this does
not mean abandoning the Church, indeed, if God asks me this is just because I can
continue to serve with the same dedication and the same love with which I have done
until now, but in a way more suitable to my age and my strength."
Oceanic journalists
of 3,650 belong to 968 media organizations in 24 languages from 61 countries assembled
in Rome. Live images and streaming of that February 28 lit up mid-morning. It began
with a Clementine Hall filled with 144 cardinals.
The Pope told them: "I will
continue to be close with prayer, especially in the next few days so that you are
fully docile to the action of the Holy Spirit in the election of the new Pope May
the Lord show you what is willed by Him, in the College cardinals, there is also the
future Pope, to whom I already promise my unconditional reverence and obedience."
Then,
in the afternoon, Benedict XVI leaft the papal apartment for Castel Gandolfo. He said: "I'm
just a pilgrim beginning the last leg of my pilgrimage on this earth. But I would
still, with my heart, my love, my prayer, my reflection, with all my inner strength
work for the common good and the good of the Church and of humanity….. good night."Source:
VR Ita