God gave us free will. My will is not to embrace suffering. I would rather fight it when I can. I am thankful that our forefathers didn't embrace suffering from the King of England.
Enterprise, I think you are not attacking Catholics but have misunderstood some things about the Catholic attitude.
We are all called to resist evil, which is one of the reason the great majority of our police forces are Catholic, and there is a disproportionately heavy dose of Catholics in the military too. A government or a ruler is resonsible for protecting his people, and this does mean using force.
The Pope was talking about situations in which individuals are powerless to defeat by force those who hate us. In that case, we cannot bow down (the way the hostage reporters who "converted" to Islam did), but simply have to accept whatever suffering comes to us for holding to our principles and our faith.
Nor does the pope deny a right to defend yourself and the people for whom you are responsible. He doesn't have Swiss Guards and a personal security team for nothing. But even in defensive struggle, you suffer. Whatr BXVI is saying, is that suffering should not surprise you; and in prayer and faith, it can even be turned to a good end. It can bring you closer to your Savior at an entirely new level.
Ask any Christian who has suffered.
News flash: The God of the bible, Jesus Christ, says that you will suffer.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1: 2-5
How does your free will have anything to do with suffering? What is your definition of "free will" and where is the biblical passage that supports that?
According to your own testimony, (not mine) you choose to NOT embrace suffering. If you choose not to suffer, scripture suggest you may be lacking in maturity and wisdom. That you may be unable to perservere. Is that a fair assessment?