Cardinal
Ratzinger about John Paul II
-
Homily
of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at Funeral Mass of John Paul
II (April
8, 2005)
"Follow me. " The
Risen Lord says these words to Peter. They are his last
words to this disciple, chosen to shepherd his flock.
"Follow me" – this lapidary saying of
Christ can be taken as the key to understanding the message
which comes to us from the life of our late beloved Pope
John Paul II. Today we bury his remains in the earth as
a seed of immortality – our hearts are full of sadness,
yet at the same time of joyful hope and profound gratitude.
- Address
of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the beginning of the Thanksgiving
Mass for the 25th anniversary (October 16, 2003)
Most Holy Father,
Exactly 25 years ago, at this
time, the Cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel elected
you to the office of the Successor of St Peter, and you
said your "yes" to the grace and burden of that
office.
Twenty-five years ago,
Cardinal Pericle Felici, Pro-Dean of the Sacred College
of Cardinals, solemnly announced to the crowd waiting in
St Peter's Square: "Habemus Papam". Twenty-five
years ago, from the Loggia of the Blessings, you imparted
the Urbi et Orbi Blessing for the first time and, with an
unforgettable Address, instantly won the hearts of the Romans
as well as of the many people across the world who were
following you and listening to you. You said at that time
that you came from a distant country, but we saw immediately
that the faith in Jesus Christ that shone from your words
and from your whole person overcomes all distances; that
in the faith we have all grown close to one another. Right
from the start you enabled us to experience this force of
Christ that breaks down barriers and creates peace and joy.
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