Posted on 11/12/2014 6:11:28 PM PST by marshmallow
Rome, Italy, Nov 12, 2014 / 11:49 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A priest who met and exchanged zucchettos with retired pontiff Benedict XVI last week marveled at the former pope's joy, mental clarity and good health.
“We were so, so enthused by the joy in Benedict, (by his) his serenity. He's a man at peace, at peace in the will of God for him today, which is to pray for the Church,” Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo told CNA Nov. 7.
Benedict XVI is like a wise grandfather, he said, pointing out how as “a tender man who is full of humility,” the retired pope is a living example of what Pope Francis means when he often speaks of the importance of tenderness.
“He is in fantastic health, fantastic health, and his mind is as sharp today and perhaps even sharper than when he was the great theologian and the great Pope that we knew him as.”
Msgr. Figueiredo serves as spiritual director at Rome's Pontifical North American College. He was one of five leaders of the new “Caritas in Veritate International” confederation, for which he also serves as Vice President for Relations with Bishops, who met Benedict XVI last Thursday.
Inspired by the retired pontiff's encyclical letters “Deus Caritas est” – God is Love – and “Caritas in Veritate” – Charity in Truth – the organization is made up of several Catholic communities, international groups and charitable institutions who are involved in missions in 80 countries throughout the world.
By using these two encyclicals as the foundation for their work, the organization, who also met with Pope Francis at the end of their Nov. 4-9 leaders' forum in Rome, seeks to unite works of charity with the preaching of the Gospel.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicnewsagency.com ...
So, why did he retire?
I am pretty much convinced that Benedict was maneuvered out of the papacy against his will.
The George Washington of Popes. Imagine the conversations with God he had? Power hungry man, right? “Prayer, not strategic campaign, is what is necessary” That’s his life.
Ad multos annos.
I don’t know if it was technically against his will, but he may have been given an offer he couldn’t refuse from the gay mafia.
It was a mystery to me why he retired. It has always been accepted that Popes remain in office until God calls them home.
Now, it’s even more of a mystery.
His health was not so great just last year. Having the burden lifted from his soldiers has probably helped a great deal.
From the photo, it appears they’re swapping one white zucchetto for another white one. I thought white zucchettos were reserved for popes?
A good many of his soldiers have deserted and lined up with Francis.
Sorry, I meant “shoulders” not “soldiers”.
What the hell ,I thought he was dying.
At the time when he announced he was stepping down, I thought he might be terminally ill, and wouldn't last very long. Now, I agree - it's a mystery as to why he gave up the papacy.
Funny
Soldiers.. Hmmm how many divisions does the former Pope have?
Wonderful photo!
Thank you so much.
God bless.
You beat me to it.
It still is a total mystery to me.
There’s a cute tradition that, if you’re having a personal audience with the Pope, you buy a white Papal zucchetto and he’ll trade his for yours. That way, you get a personal souvenir of your meeting (albeit a costly one ... I’m sure a Papal zucchetto at Gammarelli’s doesn’t come cheap).
Thanks for the explanation.
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