It was on Tuesday, 19 April 2005 that the papal conclave, which was held following the demise of Blessed John Paul II on 2 April, elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He chose the name Benedict to honour two great figures who also bore that name, that is Pope Benedict XV and Saint Benedict of Norcia, the father of western monasticism.
In his first audience as Pope, the Holy Father explained why he had opted for Benedict as his pontifical name. Like Benedict XV, who led the Church through the harsh and chaotic times of World War I, Pope Ratzinger hoped to place “[his] ministry at the service of reconciliation and harmony between people and peoples, since [he is] profoundly convinced that the great good of peace is first and foremost a gift of God, a precious but unfortunately fragile gift to pray for, safeguard and build up, day after day, with the help of all”.
Furthermore, the name Benedict recalls the amazing character of Saint Benedict of Norcia, the splendid “Patriarch of Western Monasticism” and co-patron of Europe with five other saints. Thanks to the slow growth of the Benedictine Order, the saint of Norcia left his distinguishing mark on the expansion of Christianity across the European continent. In the German Pontiff’s words, Saint Benedict “is a fundamental reference point for European unity and a powerful reminder of the indispensable Christian roots of his culture and civilization”. Hence, the Papa name Benedict suggests reconciliation, peace, European unity and faithfulness to its Christian roots.
Fully conscious of the enormous weight which such a vision exacts from him as the Vicar of Christ, Pope Benedict XVI’s very first message as the Successor of Saint Peter, demonstrated both his limitations and his openness to be supported in this difficult, yet vital ministry of communion vis-à-vis the universal Church.
“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.”
Such a speech reveals deep humility. In this Pope Benedict XVI is absolutely following the council of his great teacher and counsellor, Saint Augustine of Hippo. “Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.” The Holy Father is not the least intimidated by his human inadequacy of fulfilling the enormous task of shepherding 1.8 billion Catholics worldwide. Rather, he is turning the apparent impossibility of accomplishing this magnificent mission into a fruitful exercise of communion by engaging the global people of God to support him spiritually. Pope Benedict XVI confirmed this during his general audience address on the first anniversary of his pontificate: “I feel more and more that alone I could not carry out this task, this mission. But I also feel that you are carrying it with me: Thus, I am in a great communion and together we can go ahead with the Lord’s mission. The heavenly protection of God and of the saints is an irreplaceable support to me and I am comforted by your closeness, dear friends, who do not let me do without the gift of your indulgence and your love. I offer very warm thanks to all those who in various ways support me from close at hand or follow me from afar in spirit with their affection and their prayers. I ask each one to continue to support me, praying to God to grant that I may be a gentle and firm Pastor of his Church.”
Is not humility the enduring hallmark of Benedict XVI’s pontificate?
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
SAN GWANN