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Nov. 2 - Nov. 9, 2003 |
A Quarter-Century As a Pontiff
Pope John Paul II embraces faithful during celebrations honouring 25 years on job
Originally Published: 2003-10-26
He celebrated the Mass, personally reading prayers, invocations, and songs, including final salutations in eight languages; his face was marked by fatigue, if not pain, and the applause of the faithful encouraged him when he appeared in difficulty. He gave out Communion to a few faithful.
He left the central part of the homily for Monsignor Sandri, assistant Secretary of State, to read. This was a much different John Paul II from the athletic man who first appeared to the crowd from St. Peter's on an afternoon of 25 years ago. Last week's celebration was a long thanksgiving Mass for the anniversary of his election.
While being the concrete representation of human frailty, he still remembered the ongoing encouragement he receives from God, and his willingness to "bear the responsibilities" that the Lord "entrusted him with".
This was almost a reply to the rumours of resignation that, albeit with every caution, have begun to spread once again. In some cases, like with Argentine's cardinal Jorge Mejia (over 80), merely as a speculation over the possibility that John Paul II, like Paul VI before him, could have already signed a letter of resignation to take effect in case of complete mental or physical disability.
Anyway, that was a day of memories for John Paul II, who recalled the "human trepidation" he felt when he was asked whether he accepted the terrible task that the 110 cardinals had chosen to entrust him with. "It was necessary," he said, "for me to appeal to the divine mercy, so that I could answer the question: 'Do you accept?' with: 'In faithful obedience, in front of Christ my Lord, relying on the Mother of Christ and of the Church, aware of the great difficulties, I do'." That was the beginning of a papacy that Cardinal Ratzinger, dean of the Holy College, recalled with moving words, quite unusual for this defender of Catholic orthodoxy, who compared the Pope's care for the faithful to a mother's care for her children.
John Paul II almost echoed Cardinal Ratzinger when he said that "from the beginning of my papacy, my thoughts, my prayers, and my actions stemmed from just one desire: testifying that Christ, the Good Shepherd, is present and active in His Church." The Pope repeated his words of 25 years ago that left the crowd amazed: "I shall repeat today, with force: Open your door to Christ! Let Him lead you! Trust His love!"
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