Pope’s Farewell Greeting to the Cardinals

February 28, 2013: Pope Benedict this morning, met with Cardinals present in Rome for a Farewell Greeting, in the Clementine Hall within the Vatican. While thanking them he referred to the disciples of Emmaus, and said it was a joy for him to walk with them over the years in light of the presence of the Risen Lord. He told the Cardinals “See that the Church is a living body, animated by the Holy Spirit, and truly lives by the power of God, it is in the world but not of the world. It is of God, of Christ, of the Spirit, as we saw yesterday.”

Quoting Romano Guardini he said “The Church is not an institution that is devised and constructed at table, but is a living reality. It lives along the course of time in the making, like any living being, becoming, yet its nature remains the same. Its heart is Christ." "The Church is awakening souls." He added.

Prior to greeting them personally he told them that he will continue to be close to them in prayer, especially in the next few days so that they are fully docile to the action of the Holy Spirit in the election of the new Pope. “Among you, the College of Cardinals, there is also the future Pope, to whom I already promise my unconditional reverence and obedience.” He said.

(A translation of the Italian Text of his entire Address to the College of Cardinals)

Dear Beloved Brothers,

With great joy I welcome you and offer each of you my most cordial greeting. I thank Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who as always, has been able to convey the sentiments of the College, Cor ad cor loquitur. Thank you, Your Eminence, to heart.

And I would say taking the reference of the disciples of Emmaus, which for me was a joy to walk with you over the years in light of the presence of the Risen Lord. As I said yesterday, in front of thousands of people that filled St. Peter's Square, your closeness and your advice have been a big help in my ministry. In these 8 years we have lived beautiful moments of radiant light with faith in the path of the Church along with times when a few clouds darkened the sky. We tried to serve Christ and his Church with deep and total love, which is the soul of our ministry. We have given hope that comes from Christ, and that alone can enlighten the way. Together we can thank the Lord that made us grow in communion and pray together to help you grow deeper in this unity so that the College of Cardinals is like an orchestra, where diversity and expression of the universal Church, always contribute to the superior and concordant harmony. I would like to leave you with a simple thought that is close to my heart, a thought on the Church, its mystery, which is for all of us, we can say, the reason and the passion of life. Let me facilitate it with an expression of Romano Guardini written in the year in which the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council approved the Constitution Lumen Gentium, his last, with a personal dedication for me, so the words of this book are particularly dear to me. Guardini says: "The Church is not an institution that is devised and constructed at table, but is a living reality. It lives along the course of time in the making, like any living being, becoming, yet its nature remains the same. Its heart is Christ."

It was our experience yesterday, I suppose, in the square. See that the Church is a living body, animated by the Holy Spirit, and truly lives by the power of God, it is in the world but not of the world. It is of God, of Christ, of the Spirit, as we saw yesterday. For this is another famous expression of Guardini that is true and eloquent: "The Church is awakening souls." The Church lives, grows and arises in the souls who like the Virgin Mary accept the Word of God and conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit. They offer to God their flesh and in their own poverty and humility become capable of giving birth to Christ in the world today. Through the Church the mystery of the Incarnation remains present forever. Christ continues to walk through the times in all places. Let us remain united, dear brothers, in this mystery, in prayer, especially the daily Eucharist, and so serve the Church and all humanity. This is our joy that no one can take from us.

Prior to greeting you personally want to tell you that I will continue to be close to you in 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 His is His will. Among you, among the College of Cardinals, there is also the future Pope, to whom I already promise my unconditional reverence and obedience. For all this, with affection and gratitude, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.