VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 18, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI’s serenity is itself a message to the world, and the secret to his calm is his faith in Jesus Christ, says a Vatican spokesman.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, made this reflection today on the latest edition of Vatican Television’s «Octava Dies.»
Regardless of controversies, the priest said, the Pope continues giving the reasons for his Christian hope with «gentleness and respect.»
Father Lombardi spoke about the press conference the Holy Father gave Thursday, en route to the United Kingdom, where he will be till Sunday.
Asked if he was worried about his reception, the Pontiff said he was going into the trip with courage and joy.
«He said that the Church should not be so concerned about appearing strong and attractive, but about totally allowing the person and words of Jesus Christ to be seen,» Father Lombardi added.
Herein lies «the very simple secret of the Pope, even in difficult situations,» the spokesman proposed. This serenity «in itself is already a message and an example for believers.»
«The secret is, in fact, faith in Jesus Christ,» he said — a faith that the Pope «proposes with intelligence, with confidence and with joy, knowing and respecting the questions and the difficulties of his interlocutors.»
Benedict XVI «knows well that today the encounter with God and with the Christian faith is not easy and cannot be taken for granted,» Father Lombardi said. What is needed is «a voice and a friendly hand that will propose clearly and accompany one with love to discover the beauty and value of the Christian proposal.»
This proposal might or might not be listened to, the spokesman acknowledged, «but the proposal is beautiful: It is the best the Pope can offer. That is why he does so with joy, and those who accept it participate in this joy.»
