LONDON, SEPT. 20, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The coordinator of Benedict XVI’s state visit to the United Kingdom says the Pope «was here for all of us, as a father.»
Monsignor Andrew Summersgill gave this evaluation to Vatican Radio in speaking about the Pontiff’s four-day trip to Scotland and England, which concluded Sunday.
He also emphasized the «great consistency» of the papal message: «In all places he spoke of the importance of reason and faith: He spoke to civil society of the function of religion in public life, during the liturgies he taught us the faith and he showed his faith to young people and to the elderly.»
The coordinator of the visit said that what impressed him most was «the welcome the Holy Father received, both by Catholics as well as other Christians, those belonging to other religions and those who only went to see him as he went through the city.»
Do what he says
Referring to the motto of the visit, «Heart Speaks Unto Heart,» the monsignor reflected that «the Pope spoke to the heart, but above all he spoke from the heart.»
«The Pope gave himself to us from his heart, and he did so in his words and in his conduct,» Monsignor Summersgill affirmed.
The coordinator also said the fruits are already «at every level.»
«The Holy Father has invited us to address some challenges, above all to keep going, taking with us everything he has said to us in these days,» he said. «I see this desire also in the people who participated, who were present and who feel the duty to do what he has told us.»