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."