Surprise! New Pope takes a walk through Rome

Catholic WEorld News ^ | April 20, 2005 | Catholic World News

[ELS]

Rome, Apr. 20 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI made his first public appearance on the streets of Rome on Wednesday afternoon, April 20, as he visited his old apartment near Vatican City to transfer some belongings to his new home in the apostolic palace.

The newly elected Pope, clothed completely in the distinctive white vestments of the papacy, caught onlookers by surprise when he chose to travel on foot, walking the few hundred yards to the apartment in the Citta Leonina where he had lived for years. When the news spread that the Pontiff was walking through the city, hundreds of people quickly gathered, and he spent some time in front of the apartment building, greeting the people and blessing young children. Italian police and Vatican security officials did their best to control the crowd, preserving some breathing room for the Pontiff.

After a short stay in his old apartment, the Pontiff reappeared, entering a black car that was waiting for him at the entrance of the building. He paused again to wave to the crowd, turning slowly from one direction to another so that he could greet as many as possible. The crowd burst into cheers of "Long live the Pope!" and the chant that has already become familiar: "Benedetto!" Pope Benedict later commented that he was "very moved" as he resumed direct contact with the faithful.

Pope Benedict had occupied the apartment in Citta Leonina until moving into the Vatican's St. Martha residence, along with all the other cardinal-electors, to begin the conclave on April 18.

Earlier in the day, the new Pope had taken possession of his new apartments in the apostolic palace. He was accompanied by Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo (bio - news), the camerlengo, who had sealed off those apartments after the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

[Hand em their arse]

"...but "Kill them all, and let God sort them out" in Latin isn't exactly what this Pope is all about...."


LOL! Unless ofcourse you add the words "with kindness"... :-)

[BigSkyFreeper]

Them planes are big, dontcha know. :)

I've walked the wings and the top of a B-52! :) They are big planes, inside and out.

[onyx]

Thanks so much for your kind words.
Nice posting back and forth with you.
Let's do it again soon.

[Petronski]

Did you know there's more than six billion people outside my house?

Well, not right outside my house, but they are out there somewhere. ;O)

[Petronski]

I've walked the wings and the top of a B-52!

I sure hope you wait til it landed. It's windy up there.

[ColoCdn]

Yes. I'd like that.

[embedded_rebel]

Gentle Ben

[BigSkyFreeper]

Of course. That was a once in a lifetime experience. Had a cousin who was a mechanic at Minot AFB about 20 years ago. He's retired from the service and him and his wife moved to CA.

[american colleen]

Thanks for the ping and pictures! Beautiful story, beautiful pictures.

I almost feel wrong for being this happy. I am so grateful though.

[rahbert]

wonder if he'll give an interview to Ron Novello?

[socialismisinsidious]

my kids' teachers are able to present Our Holy Father as He is not just as a historical figure/figure head...our school watched--did not edit. heck, they even pray(ed)

Catholic schools are able to present the process of selecting a Pope as a Holy one not just as a historical one....the content of what each can share is not equal and that is one of the many reasons I have chosen not to send my children to the government elementary school

kudos to your mom--I am sure she went above and beyond (and around here she would get some slack for it)

[Prophet in the wilderness]

It looks like he is going in Pope John Paul's II footsteps as the " THE POPE OF THE PEOPLE " .
I think as a Cardinal Joe Ratzinger learned a valuable lesson from John Paul II to be there for the people.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

And this Pope will make all of his enemies and critics ( including CNN ) look like a bunch of Godless fools.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Yes.. your right,,, this reminds me of the photos of president Bush on his champaign stops and rallies during the Presidential champaign last year, he loved the people, and the people loved him.
Can we get someone to bring up some photos for the comparison ?

[Miss Behave]

"Benedict is pretty cool.

I think we'll keep him. ;O)"

Yes, Ski. What a wonderful man. I think we will keep him. Thank you Lord.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

And the liberals/dems/MSM will be the losers in the end.

[Miss Behave]

OutSTANDING pictures and descriptions, Pyro. Thank you for them. Il Papa looks absolutely Heavenly in his whites.

[Miss Behave]

"Let's hear it for Big Ben!"

Let's hear it for the Gipper Gal!!!

"Big Ben."

I LOVE it. :-)