Posted on 05/07/2005 10:31:37 AM PDT by Salvation
Rome, May. 06 (CWNews.com) - On Saturday, May 7, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) will formally take possession of the basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Rome diocese.
Although it has not been the primary home of Roman Pontiffs since the 14th century-- St. Peter's Basilica is the site of most papal liturgical celebrations-- St. John Later remains the Pope's cathedral, and the Roman church par excellence. The name "Lateran" refers to the great patrician family of ancient Rome on his grounds the basilica now stands. For several centuries, the Roman Pontiff lived in the Lateran palace adjacent to the church itself. The massive bronze central doors were taken from the Roman Forum, where the Senate met.
It was in this basilica that Charlemagne was baptized on Easter Sunday in 774. And five councils took place at the basilica: Lateran I in 1123, Lateran II in 1139, Lateran III in 1179, Lateran Iv in 1215, and Lateran V in 1512. It was also at the Lateran Palace that the "Lateran Accords" were signed in 1929, establishing the terms of the agreement which-- with later amendments-- still governs relations between the Vatican city-state and the Italian republic.
Building was begun under the Emperor Constantine, and the basilica was originally consecrated by Pope Sylvester I in 324. Damaged during the sack of Rome by Alaric in 410, it was repaired, but demolished by an earthquake in 896. Rebuilt in the 10th century, it was again destroyed, this time by fire, in 1308. Rebuilt once again under Popes Clement V and John XXII in the early 14th century. It was damaged again by both earthquake and fire during that century, but restored each time. The current building-- with a massive nave that makes it second in size only to St. Peter's among the churches of Rome-- was refinished in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Holy Father is on his way to St. Mary Major. The streets are LINED with people...I'm noticing lots and lots of young people, smiling, excited. His homily was interrupted a few times with applause.
Did I get the wrong church?
No, he celebrated at St. John Lateran and now he's going to visit St. Mary Major.
The weather forecast was for rain and thunder. But there's not a cloud in the sky per Vatican Radio.
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead a mass in Saint John Basilica at Rome May 7, 2005. REUTERS/Max Rossi
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead a mass in Saint John Basilica at Rome May 7, 2005. REUTERS/Max Rossi
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead a mass at Saint John Basilica in Rome May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict pledged on Saturday to follow the strict line of his predecessor and defend traditional Catholic teachings from 'fashionable' ideas that threaten to destroy the faith. REUTERS/Max Rossi
He's positively magnificent.
The adoration on the faces of the crowd give me goose bumps. And yes, I too, noticed a lot of young people! The Church is alive and young.
May God Bless and keep healthy His gift to us,... Pope Benedict XVI.
The Romans love this man!
She also said when he gives homilies he does not "speak Vaticanese", that people can understand him because he doesn't speak over their heads theologically.
He's such a wonderful teacher of the faith!
Well, as someone who's crossing the Tiber, I appreciate the many levels that he speaks to me...his homilies which draw me to the beauty of Christ...his candid interviews that help me understand the Catholic vision...his humility that points to the Otherness of God...and his theological works that challenge me to think and reorder my worldview.
I haven't been this joyous in a long time, coming in as a bruised and wearied Anglican.
Just turned the TV off a few minutes ago. The Mass at St John Laterans' Basilica and the prayers in St Mary Major were absolutely magnificent! I'm looking forward to getting a copy of that wonderful homily,sometime this eveing,I guess and chew on it.There was so much meat to it.So simple and yet elegant that even someone as simple-minded as I am can understand him. I might even watch the encore this evening(4:00p.m.pacific).
Vicar of Jesus Christ,May St. John, help you in everyway and may God help you to lead the millions of people back to Him-through Thy, Church, the One,holy, Catholic and Apostalic Church!!!!!!! Dominus Vobiscum Holy Father!!!!
"The new pope has made clear his wish to work for the unity of Christians spread among different Churches -- Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and other Protestants.
In an unprecedented gesture he sent a message of "cordial" greeting to the chief protestant Church in France, the Reformed Church, which is holding a synod, or general assembly in the south of the country and assuring them of his "prayers", according to the Church."
Pope says he has a duty to combat wrong ideas of freedom
Thank you, Carolina, for posting these beautiful photos!
For those who missed it, the Mass will be rebroadcast on EWTN at 7pm EST. Check your local cable provider for channel.
He's absolutely radiant!
Who will ever forget the look on their faces, as these seminarians witnessed the announcement "Habemus Papam", followed by the name of Joseph Ratzinger.
In the less than 3 weeks as pontiff, you can 'feel' the change in attitude amongst the cardinals, bishops, priests and laity. Fr. Richard John Neuhaus got it right when, following the announcement of Ratzinger as our new pope, he said:
"With the election of Pope Benedict XVI, the curtain has fallen on the long-running drama of the myth of "the spirit of Vatican II," in which the revolution mandated by the Council was delayed by the timidity of Paul VI and temporarily derailed for twenty-plus years by the regressive John Paul II, as the Church inexorably moved toward the happy denouement of "the next pope" who would resume the course of progressive accommodation to the wisdom of the modern world. The curtain has fallen and the audience has long since left, except for a few diehards who say they are giving the new management a hundred days to revive the show. Some of them are perhaps thinking of going to another theater. There are worse things than not being a Catholic--when it is made unmistakably clear that being a Catholic is not what one is."
Let's all remember to pray for this dear man that the "wolves" will not get him. The Church - and the WORLD - needs his humble and beautiful witness. When he mentioned wolves at the installation Mass, it sent chills down my spine.
I remember that too! And I also remember the inflection in his voice when he said it. I pray for him every day.
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