Vatican City, Apr 19, 2010 / 08:49 am
The Holy Father celebrated the fifth anniversary of his pontificate on Monday, just after returning to Rome from a busy weekend trip to the Mediterranean island of Malta. The College of Cardinals organized a lunch with the Pope as the guest of honor to mark the occasion, while the Italian Church called for a day of prayer for him.
After a taxing Saturday and Sunday, during which he called for the people of Malta to protect their identity founded on the faith and values they received from St. Paul, Benedict XVI returned to Rome on Sunday evening. The Sunday return enabled him to spend the fifth anniversary of his pontificate at home.
The Holy Father was chosen by the College of Cardinals to succeed John Paul II on April 19, 2005, the second day of the Papal Conclave.
Monday's lunch in the Pope's honor took place in the Ducal Hall of the Apostolic Palace and was attended by 46 cardinals. Vatican Radio reported that Cardinal Dean Angelo Sodano commemorated the five-year milestone with a short address in which he thanked the Holy Father for his service to the Church and the world, carried out with "great generosity."