[Quix]

One would think folks spending money on such would check with someone they knew about such things to avoid embarrassment.

On the other hand . . . we all embarrass ourselves in a myriad of ways in daily life.

[Cronos]

However, though Pope Benedict has physically departed and returned to Rome, the mission he elaborated in this historic four day visit has only just begun. It is the New Evangelization of the Church in the United Kingdom and then, through her, the unfolding of a new missionary age dedicated to re-Christianizing the European continent.

The reaction of the secular Press to this Papal visit is worth noting. Only a few months ago that press was predicting the Pope would be arrested upon arrival. If not, that he would at least be greeted with throngs of angry protestors. Ironically, though there were some protests, the numbers were relatively small. The real numbers in this story were the massive crowds which gathered in every one of his venues to listen to this humble and deeply reflective Christian leader. The response of the secular press is revealed in comments made by David Wiley of the BBC news:

"What has struck seasoned observers of papal tours is that people everywhere have responded spontaneously to the Pope's evident humility and his ability, even when talking serious theology, to communicate simple moral concepts in plain language. As David Cameron plans to say later, as he bids farewell to the Pope, the 83-year-old pontiff has caused the whole country to sit up and think."

However, the Pope did more than call the UK to "sit up and think", he called the Nation to kneel down and pray...