The Gift that is Benedict

At the end of the Holy Mass, the priest offers the audience a final benediction, or a final blessing. It is an important part of the Eucharistic celebration. The term 'benediction' means 'blessing'. Besides this, the word generally means 'good wishes'.

Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger until a few months ago, is God's benediction to the world - a gift that only God can give to the world at a time of great confusion and antagonism.

To some circles, Cardinal Ratzinger was known as an enforcer and a too conservative cardinal. On the days leading to the papal election and the day after Cardinal Ratzinger was elected the new pope, some tabloids described him as "God's Rottweiler" and "Cardinal No".

However, those who know him closely describe him as a very gentle and intellectual person, who reaches out to the public and mingles with them freely. That lovable smile is enough to light up a large crowd. Sure, St Peter's Square will continue to be flooded by pilgrims, and the world will see the 'smiling papa' ever more.

His calm and serene conduct aside, Pope Benedict is a good administrator and a strict watchdog of the Church's dogma. In these difficult times, what the Church needs is a proven regulator and not someone who can relax the Church's doctrines and position on sensitive matters. Detractors fail to understand that the long-followed standpoints cannot be changed overnight. They forget that it's people that have to change to accommodate laws and regulations, and not conversely.

Moreover, at such a very critical time as now when the Church is faced by the great void left by the demise of Pope John Paul, Pope Benedict surpasses everyone else as the most experienced, diplomatic, and unwavering guardian of the Church. The Church was in need of a theologian who could defend the Church's traditional values and teachings.

Pope Benedict has been at the Vatican for more than 20 years. He holds the same views as John Paul II did. Like his predecessor, Pope Benedict has maintained a warm relationship with other religions, especially with Jews.

Pope Benedict is a prolific writer and has written more than 10 best-selling books on the Church, theology, and Christianity.

Pope Benedict is also known for his linguistic skills, having been proficient in German, Italian, Latin, French, Spanish, and English.

If the crowd at St Peter's square responded to the new pope's election with loud applause, solemn prayers, and tears of joy, the hundreds of thousands gathered at the Vatican for his inauguration gave him a rapturous reception, many reaching near his Popemobile, others clicking photos, and several others holding out posters inviting the new pope to their countries. It is a clear indication of what lies ahead - like his predecessor, the new pope is going to win over both nations and people around the globe.

It is only a matter of time before we as well as the pope's critics become convinced that Pope Benedict can touch many a heart and heal many a wound.

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