4/22/2005

Impressions

Philip Lawler of the WSJ Opinion Journal has the following to say about the Holy Father:

The portrait thus being painted--of a cold, remote, autocrat--is completely at odds with the actual personality of Benedict XVI. In fact, he is a genial, diffident man. Those who meet him for the first time are invariably struck by the humility that camouflages his powerful intellect. My colleague Father Joseph Fessio, SJ, a former theology student of the new pope's, recalls how his mentor would "listen to absolutely everybody" before making his own comments. My own lasting impression is of the kindly man who, upon a family visit to the Vatican five years ago, took the time to introduce himself to each of my children, leaning down to the eye level of a shy three-year-old to make her more comfortable.
He sounds a bit like Mister Rogers!!! And get this: he loves cats! I find myself in agreement with Mark Shea, who proposes a new papal slogan: "you're 16, you're beautiful, and you're mine!"

2 comments:

SWP said...

I wrote the following in a letter to Half-baked Taters:

"I'm actually considering going to WYDay, just to greet the new pontiff in his homeland. I wasn't even considering it before, but now- if it can work- I just may go for it. I was just SO geeked on Tuesday; for so many of us, this was our first one ever, or the first in memory. I was thrilled beyond comparison. I read some articles (I think at Amy Wellborn's blog) that described the crowds running at the sound of the bells, and how they filled the Square in an instant. I ran to my neighbor's house because she has cable TV. I sprinted actually. Full throttle. I just felt so alive to the momentousness of the occasion. And I was surprised at how relieved I felt that a decision had been made, and that we could all collectively catch our breath. I felt a visceral sense of the magnitude and importance and NEED for the Petrine Office. And I think, so has the rest of the world."

What are all y'all's thoughts?

SWP said...

The article about the crowds running to see the Pope is by Peggy Noonan, and it's available (via the Touchstone blog) at this URL:

http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110006584

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