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Gathered with more than 60,000 pilgrims in Saint Peters
square today, Pope Benedict celebrated the one year anniversary of
being elected successor of Peter, and asked the faithful to “continue
to sustain me and to pray to God to allow me to be a meek and steady
pastor of his Church.”
The
pontiff vividly recalled the day, one year ago, in which “the conclave
ofcardinals decided to choose my poor person to succeed the lamented
and loved great Pope John Paul II”, something he called
“absolutely unexpected and surprising for me.”
“I
recall with emotion the first impression I had as I looked down from
the central balcony of the basilica, of pilgrims gathered in this very
square; it has stayed in my mind and heart,” he continued.
Pope
Benedict then directly addressed those present saying, “The support of
God and the Saints cannot be substituted by anything, and your
closeness, dear friends, comforts me, you who never cease to offer me
the gift of your indulgence and your love.”
“I
thank from my heart all those are by my side in various ways,” he said,
emotionally, “from near and also from far, spiritually, with their
affection and their prayers: to each of you, I ask that you continue to
sustain meand to pray to God to allow me to be a meek and steady pastor
of his Church.”
Benedict
XVI chose to place today’s festive feeling in the context of Easter. He
reminded the faithful of the first moments the Risen Lord spent with
the women and the apostles. The Gospel message, “the nucleus of which
is the Easter mystery”, was spread “with courage” to the ends of the
earth, by them and their successors.
And
still today, he added, “each Christian is called to proclaim the
Gospel”. Particularly addressing young people who were present, he
said, “Christ exhorts and invites you too to be his witnesses,” and
asked that “the Virgin Mary help us understand this great mystery of
love that changes hearts and allows us to enjoy the joy of Easter.”
Following the general audience, Benedict XVI returned to Castelgandolfo, where he will stay until Friday.
