Vatican spokesman looks ahead to pontificate’s 8th year

(April 23, 2012) In the wake of recent celebrations of Pope Benedict XVI’s 85th birthday on April 16 and the 7th anniversary of his election to the pontificate, April 19, the director of the Holy See’s Press Office devoted his latest editorial to the year ahead. Holy See’s spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi shared the Pope’s hope that the dialogue with the breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics known as Saint Pius X Fraternity will come to a resolution, that bridges the gap without creating any new ones. The Jesuit priest wished the Pope well as he travels to the northern Italian city of Milan to deliver a message of love and hope for families as they hold their World Meeting of Families in June. He also hoped that “dissenting groups will hear his invitation to be in communion with the Church and receive this invitation with respect and attention, and with an understanding of its significance.” Fr. Lombardi expressed hope that International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland in June will help in the healing, purification and renewal of the Church in Ireland following the devastating sexual abuse scandals there. The Jesuit priest also hoped that Pope Benedict’s visit to Lebanon in September may give him a chance to spread a message of peace amid the tragic conflicts in that region. In view of the Catholic Church’s Year of Faith and the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization later this year, Fr. Lombardi hoped they will help revive faith life in the Church.