Diocese of New Ulm - May 2005
A
pope has been chosen!
Seminarian
Mark Steffl eyewitness to
historical
moment of announcement of Pope Benedict XVI
I
arrived in St Peter’s Square a few hours before the "white smoke"
was seen. There was some confusion as to whether it was black or white,
and until the bells on the Basilica rang, we were unsure. Shortly after
6 p.m. local time, the bells of the basilica began to ring,
for 15 minutes. Usually we are told it takes about 45 minutes from the
time the smoke is seen until the new Holy Father appears at the balcony
of the Basilica to make his first appearance as Pope and give his Apostolic
Blessing. The whole piazza was filled, as was the via della Concilliazione,
the broad road that leads to the Vatican.
There were many groups that could be identified by their national flags,
from all over the world. Just that image alone evoked a true sense of
the inter-national aspect of the Universal Catholic Church that would
soon have a new Holy Father. The feeling and sense of the atmosphere in
anticipation was truly remarkable and energetic in its anticipation, and
words fail me in seeking to describe it. As a Cardinal appeared to speak
the prescribed words announcing to the world that a new Pope had been
elected, there was much anticipation and cheering.
It
was a remarkable and blessed event to be a witness to during these days
in Rome. I believe as well
a great showering of grace on the world as it watched from many corners
thousands of miles apart, an event not only seen by many Catholics, but
an opportunity for evangelization for so many others.
These
past years in Rome have allowed
me to attest to the many good comments that circulate about our new Holy
Father. He is a very kind man, he is soft-spoken and is an accomplished
linguist. I have met him a number of times here in Rome,
most recently, last Thanksgiving when I was at a small Mass he celebrated
for pilgrims from Germany
in the Collegio Teutonico inside the walls of Vatican
City. This last time, I was able to speak with
him, telling him how much I admired his work and the many great works
of theology he had written. He had asked where I was studying here in
Rome and in which faculty,
and was very interested in hearing about the program of study in which
I am enrolled, Fundamental Theology. He was kind enough to allow me to
have my picture taken with him at that time, (see photo above). He asked
when I was to be ordained a priest, and after I had told him, his final
words were: "Be a good and
holy
priest!"
Often
Cardinal Ratzinger could be seen walking through St Peter’s Square in
his plain black cassock, and although he held an important position under
Pope John Paul II, he was always willing to stop to take a picture of
tourists in front of the Basilica, many of whom did not know who he was.
Although
we are still saddened that our beloved John Paul II is no longer with
us, we can be both consoled and assured that the Holy Spirit has given
us a great gift in the choice of our new Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI
to guide and shepherd us.
L'Osservatore
Romano
