The third Papal visit to Malta is special in many respects. To begin with, it is the first pastoral visit of Pope Benedict XVI. He is coming to our Islands on April 17 and 18, precisely to mark the anniversary of Saint Paul’s shipwreck 1950 years ago. Additionally, the common denominator of both Paul’s and Benedict’s visits is the dramatic situations which brought them here. In Saint Paul’s case, it was the shipwreck drama, whereas in Benedict’s situation, his papacy is forever marked by the scandal of sexual abuse, including allegations against him, of mishandling such reports. Interestingly enough is the fact that the more the media continues its frenzy of attacks to tarnish the image of the Holy Father, the more the latter is emerging stronger, especially thanks to his profound humility.
By saying this, I am, first and foremost, referring to the recent pastoral letter to the Catholics of Ireland, in which the Roman Pontiff officially apologised to the victims of abuse and their families: “You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry” (§ 6). Throughout the letter the Pope did not mince his words or refrained from assuming the Church’s responsibility for these crimes. He blatantly admitted the betrayal of trust which some priests and consecrated people committed in the name of the Church. “I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel” (§ 6). He insisted that “[necessary] steps are [to be taken] to prevent it from occurring again, to ensure that the principles of justice are fully respected, and above all, to bring healing to the victims and to all those affected by these egregious crimes” (§ 5).
Looking retrospectively, it seems to me that from the time he was elected to the See of Peter, Pope Benedict sensed the immense weight which the Petrine ministry carries with it. On April 25, 2005, speaking to some 5,000 Germans who came to Rome to support him at the start of his pontificate, Pope Ratzinger confessed: “I prayed to the Lord that they would elect someone stronger than I, but in that prayer he obviously did not listen to me… I never thought I would be elected, nor did I do anything to make it happen, but when slowly the unfolding of the votes led me to understand that the ‘guillotine’ was coming closer and looking at me, I asked God to spare me this fate”. He said he was greatly encouraged to undertake this ministry, assigned to him by Divine Providence, by a phrase from a letter a German cardinal sent to him before the conclave. “If the Lord addressed that ‘follow me’ to me, I could not refuse the call”. Humility incorporates service in and for the truth.
As a faithful guardian of the Catholic Faith, the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger learnt, by the passage of time, that truth is successfully defended when its defender points to its intrinsic splendour not to his capacity of defending it. His very first words to the crowd as Pope, which he delivered before giving the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing in Latin unfold his thoroughly humble heart. “Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple, humble labourer in the vineyard of the Lord. The fact that the Lord knows how to work and to act even with insufficient instruments comforts me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers. In the joy of the Risen Lord, confident of his unfailing help, let us move forward. The Lord will help us, and Mary, His Most Holy Mother, will be on our side. Thank you”.
Once, Saint Augustine was asked what he considered were the three greatest virtues. Immediately he replied: “Humility, humility, and then humility.” Within the above cited address to his German compatriots, Pope Benedict XVI told his listeners: “We walk together and I trust in your help and ask you for understanding if I make mistakes, as happens to any man, and that you give me your trust.” Are these words not a sign of the humble spirit which animates the identity and mission of this holy German Pope?
Dear Holy Father, from the time of your election you have consistently showed us that you are a humble Pope. This noblest of virtues really shines forth both from your life as well as ministry. While we warmly welcome you with our open heart, your singular name forever remains engraved in our eminent history, as ‘the humble Pope who came over to visit us’.
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap