I thank God every day for this Holy Man!
Did you watch EWTN's coverage of the Mass at St. John Lateran, followed by the veneration of an icon to Mary, Mother of God at St. Mary Major? There were throngs of people lining the streets between the two cathedrals and each church was packed to overflowing. It's been so many years since I've seen bishops wearing traditional berettas ... but there they were! And cassocks now seem to be 'de rigueur' amongst the young priests.
Pope Benedict was radiant! The Mass was beautiful and reverent. A long line of Roman priests, fully vested, processed before the pontiff into St. John Lateran. During communion, these same priests came up in groups of 4 and all bowed before taking a consecrated host and dipping it into the Precious Blood. Why don't they follow communion by intinction at the local parish level?
I can't get enough of this new pope ... and the Romans have embraced him with all their hearts. Cameras flashing, people reaching out to touch him and he responds in kind. The commentator noted that these people are drawn to his simplicity and humility. Best of all, his homilies are orthodox in nature, delivered in a simple language - not 'Vaticanese'.
I can't recall when I have felt so utterly filled with hope for our Church. He is just awesome!