NEWS ABOUT BENEDICT

The most important wrist in the world!!!! At Romano Canavese today.

Thanks for the numerical update, Teresa!!!!! I haven't calculated it, because it's not my strong point , but April 19th 2005 is engraved on my heart.

Pope Falls and Breaks Wrist: Call to Prayer!

By Deacon Keith Fournier
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
7/19/2009

This injury is an invitation to all of us to thank the Lord for the gift of the Church and for the security and stability which comes from the Chair of Peter. Most especially it is a time to thank the Lord for this Pope, Pope Benedict XVI.

ROME (Catholic Online) - It was not that long ago that we all watched as an extraordinary and very holy Pope, known to love the mountains, fell prey to the frailties of age before our eyes. The Late Servant of God John Paul II who strode out onto St Peters Balcony and into the world’s heart by proclaiming “Be Not Afraid” became a prophetic sign for the whole world as he suffered and died before our eyes with a beauty incapable of being expressed with words.

The Chair of Peter became a wheelchair. We watched a holy man die the way he had lived, conformed to the Lord Jesus Christ, becoming a grain of wheat whose death brought continued life to the Church and through her to the world.

Perhaps that is why that same world, knowingly or unknowingly, watched with such rapt attention and concern as his worthy successor, Pope Benedict XVI, this gentle man of diminutive stature who is such an intellectual giant, slipped and broke his wrist while on a much deserved break in the mountains.

The world knows that this similarly holy man who took the name Benedict in order to send a signal of the significance of our time and the mission of the Church, really is the successor of the Apostle Peter. In a world full of leaders who are ever so eager to speak, so full of empty wind, he is actually filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks only when he has something worth saying.

Reports indicate that he arrived at the hospital with little fanfare, walking inside the emergency room with his aides. He insisted the he get no special treatment, he just wanted to wait with everyone else for the XRay.

The operation went well, that is for an 82 year old man. This prolific writer had just finished giving the world a masterpiece on the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church entitled “Charity in Truth.” The pundits were still trying to call it "liberal" or "conservative" when it is neither, it is Catholic! The ink was not even dry and then he fell!

He has broken the wrist of his writing hand! I am sorry, am I the only one who thinks that this is symbolic? I have seen no commentary on the significance of this injury. It is well known that this Pope actually writes much of his extraordinary thought in long hand. He does so with the very hand now immobilized because of the break.

It is also well known that Professor Ratzinger, ever the teacher, loves to write. It is one of his main forms of artistic expression, relaxation, inspiration, ministry and re-creation. Now, due to the reality of the exigencies of normal human life, his vacation plans have been scuttled; the hoped for opportunity to write during this particular vacation has been curtailed. However, there was not a word of complaint from Pope Benedict XVI.

Newspapers were filled with his gracious expressions of gratitude toward all who treated him. This is all so very human and that is why it is also so very beautiful. That is after all the point. He is called to invite us all by word and example to live fully human lives, redeemed now in Christ.

Like his predecessor and dear friend, the Servant of God John Paul II, Pope Benedict is very prone to quote these extraordinary words from the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World issued by the Second Vatican Council:

“22. The truth is that only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light. For Adam, the first man, was a figure of Him Who was to come, namely Christ the Lord. Christ, the final Adam, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and His love, fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear.”

In his fall and in his response he has shown us a heart which is humble, human and beating with the Heart of Jesus Christ. On the Lord’s Day, he came out to meet the faithful. He raised his hands to greet the faithful who had gathered in this mountain village. He showed them the cast. He then spoke with simplicity and true humanity "As you see, because of my accident, I am a bit limited in my movements, but my heart is fully present, and I am here with you with great joy!"

As he had done in the hospital he showed both human and supernatural virtues by continuing to thank all who had helped him noting that "many have shown me, at this time, their closeness, their warmth, their affection and have prayed for me…. they have reinforced the network of prayer that unites us in every part of the world."

However, let’s be honest, Pope Benedict XVI is the oldest Pope to have been elected at the age of 78. He had planned to use this well deserved “vacation” to work on the second part of his extraordinary book entitled “Jesus of Nazareth.” His kind and sincerely joyful demeanor was inspiring as he told the faithful “Let’s hope it will be a complete success.” He led them in prayer and again thanked the Doctors and Nurses who cared for him.

When all is said and done, the human frailties of this wonderful Pope are a cause for all of us to stop and pray for him. He is an older man. Anyone who has cared for aging parents knows that when they fall, not only are their bones more brittle, but one must be concerned about the reason why.

This injury is an invitation to all of us to thank the Lord for the gift of the Church and for the security and stability which comes from the Chair of Peter. Most especially it is a time to thank the Lord for this Pope, Pope Benedict XVI.

Let’s be honest, we are living in a very difficult time in human history. The Church is the only hope for this world because she continues the redemptive mission of the Lord until He comes again.

Pray for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. Pray for our beloved Church.

Slow news day


Since Papa got so much media attention yesterday at the Angelus, I'm sure Fr. Lombardi and those around Papa assume that the public's interest in him has been satisfied for a few days [Silly guys] so I don't expect to see any photos or news about him for a day or two, at least not in the English-speaking news media.

Soooo, if any of you girls in Europe come across any new photos or news items, please post them.

Flo, I'm thinking that maybe there will be something interesting from France since Val d'Aosta is practically in France.

Okay, this story has GOT to be about some of our forum members. I have my suspicions who they were but I won't divulge their names in public. Supposedly the story is about 3 nuns. Yeah, right. Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh.


Police: Pope injury caused nuns to speed
UPI
July 20, 2009 at 12:16 PM

Police in Turin, Italy, say three nuns were caught driving 120 mph on their way to visit Pope Benedict XVI, who had been hurt in a fall.

A Turin police spokesman said when the nuns' car was stopped as it was speeding to the Italian commune where Benedict was on summer holiday, the nun behind the wheel said they were anxious to check on the injured religious leader, The Daily Telegraph (Britain) reported Sunday.

"We had heard how the Pope had fallen over and we were on our way to make sure he was OK," the nun, identified only as Sister Tavoletta, 56, reportedly told police officers.

Benedict fractured his wrist after slipping in a bathroom last week, forcing him to undergo surgery to repair the injury.

The unidentified police spokesman said Tavoletta was fined $536 and lost her driver's license for a month as the result of the speeding incident with her fellow nuns, ages 65 and 78. The identities of the other nuns were not reported.

"Hopefully Sister Tavoletta will be making sure she confesses her bad driving the next she goes to confession," the police official told the Telegraph.

Dash! Just when I thought we'd cracked it!!!!! Losing one's driving licence is worse than the fine.
Buona notte! Sister Tavoletta [alias Me!]

Yes, Mary, I thought it must have been you. Too bad about the hefty fine.


Here's another update on Papa.


BENEDICT XVI TRUSTS HIS DOCTORS

Hasn't Yet Tried New Laptop

INTROD, Italy, JULY 20, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI trusts the doctors who operated on his wrist Friday after a fall Thursday evening at his vacation chalet in northern Italy caused a fracture.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, affirmed this today as he discounted doubts raised by doctors interviewed by journalists in some reports.

"A decision was made about the operation and its conditions after careful consideration by competent people, taking into account -- as is to be expected -- direct knowledge of the patient and his concrete circumstances," Father Lombardi affirmed to Vatican Radio.

He explained that any concerns suggested by doctors acting as press experts "are theoretical, in the sense that they cannot take into account the determinant factors of knowing the patient, his situation and the circumstances in which he finds himself, which are decisive elements in the case of an operation like this one."

"I believe," Father Lombardi added, "that there can be complete confidence that the most reasonable and the best solution was selected, according to the concrete situation, and there is no reason to promote worry."

The spokesman, who is with the Holy Father in Les Combes, told journalists that the Pope is doing well and spent today in the chalet.

He also reported that so far, the Pontiff has not used the computer given him Sunday by an Italian technology firm.

"He is not used to writing with a keyboard -- he's not so technological," Father Lombardi observed. "Particularly for the work of composing, he prefers a pen."

Father Lombardi confirmed that the Holy Father will participate Friday in vespers in the cathedral in Aosta. "Some 400 people are expected to participate," the spokesman said, referring to the priests of the diocese and representatives of various parishes, among others. "It will be a very beautiful moment of prayer.

"Later, on Sunday, he has the Angelus programmed, which will be here, close to the Pope's residence."

Talking about "Pope injury caused nuns to speed"

Maybe like this:

Hehehehehe.. I looooove Louis de Funes! Along with Peter Sellers one th most hillarious actors ever!!
I literally die everytime I watch ANY of the Pink Panther films.
And ALL of de Fune's flicks are hillarious!!

In terms of speeding... Give me the right car and I'll make it to Aosta in two hours. Speeding is one of my weaknesses.. much to the terror of my poor American born husband who's used to the crawling speed in the US.

Really hilarious video! Thanks! I don't know of Louis de Funes, I'm sorry. But Peter Sellers - well, he always had me in stitches! The Pink Panther films are the tops! Papa should watch them if he's getting a bit low, if the wrist is aching. He could send GG out to buy a few DVDs. Cowgirl - there are no speed limits in Germany are there? They reckon it makes people drive more carefully!!!! Now in England we do have all sorts of limits from 20 MPH in small villages to 70 MPH on the motorways. Though, if you know our motorways, very few people stick to 70. I'll get to 85 or above in order to pass a line of slow-moving lorries and my little car seems to love it. Luckily I haven't been caught yet! But you see people in bigger cars doing over 100 MPH. I'm not sure I'd like those mountain roads near where Papa is now - especially since I've only ever driven on the left hand side of the road!!!!!

"I'll get to 85 or above in order to pass a line of slow-moving lorries and my little car seems to love it. Luckily I haven't been caught yet!" Maryjos


At least not in England, Mary! Would your little car be a Ford Fiesta perhaps? That's what the nuns were driving. Imagine, a Ford Fiesta going 120 mph! They must have souped up the engine. By the way, the nun who was ticketed is going to contest the ticket. She has already hired a lawyer. I was thinking that after such an embarrassing public incident, she would be scolded severely by her mother superior until it occurred to me that the older nun in the back of the car probably was her mother superior. Papa is just too cute for his own good or anybody else's for that matter. When nuns go wild.... Tsk, tsk.

Just a tiny bit of news so far today. I don't think it is significant because Papa really didn't have any itinerary planned except for the remaining two events that he still intends to be at.


Benedict Rests

POSTED BY EDWARD PENTIN
National Catholic Register
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 12:23 PM

In the wake of breaking his wrist last week shortly after beginning his summer vacation in northern Italy, Pope Benedict XVI has decided to cut back on his vacation itinerary.

According to Italy’s La Stampa newspaper, the Pope has graciously turned down all excursions for the rest of his vacation, but will be celebrating Vespers at Aosta cathedral on Friday. He’ll also recite the Angelus on Sunday as planned.

Last night, Benedict’s physician invited the Aosta doctors who treated the Holy Father to dinner to thank them for their work.

We do have speed limits. 50 km/h inside cities, 100 km/h on country roads. No speed limit on the motorways. Considering the kind of cars this country produces, speed limits are off limit!

I was stopped by the police once on a country road in a Ford 'Ka' (cardboad-kind-of-miniature-thing), which was a rental, going wayyy above the speed limit (about 60 km/h). That thing was ready to go nearly 180, if needed.
The police men thought it was really funny that my last name was the same as the car I was driving (not a very common thing in Germany).
After a nice laugh and some macho comments they actually let me go!!
Thank God - would have been quite costly to pay the fine and to take the bus to work for a couple of months.

Maybe some nuns should be taking on more creative names, like Sister Jaguar or Sister Carrera - too bad that most car models are named in very pragmatic fashion. Sister SLK or Sister A6 wouldn't really work.

Spending every day in the company of Msgr Gänswein must be sooooo boring!!!

@benevolens: Yes indeed! Papa wouldn't have one boring second if we could go for a walk with him, would he!!!!! We are such great conversationalists! I must say he looks less tired today and, of course, there's a fresh bandage on the cast. Thanks for these latest pics. I can go to bed happy now.

@Cowgirl: The cardboard Ford Ka [I have to laugh!] is quite a popular little car here, though my Micra IS bigger - higher and longer! - I am pleased to say. Britain is a place of sublime and ridiculous where cars are concerned: sublime little gems like Micras and ridiculous gurt great off-roaders which are invariably driven ON roads and, instead of being covered in mud and muck, are always shiny and always threatening ME! Of course, I should have known you have a speed limit in cities. And, to be honest, if I could afford it I'd drive a German car.

P.S. I know we stopped talking about ciuffettos, but just take a look at his hair today!

Pope uses tape recorder as writing tough with cast

(AP)
July 22, 2009

LES COMBES, Italy — Pope Benedict XVI is using a tape recorder to get his thoughts out rather than trying to write by hand with a cast on, the Vatican spokesman said Wednesday.

Benedict had hoped to make progress during his two-week mountain vacation on the second installment of his two-book project on Jesus of Nazareth. But he fell and broke his right wrist last week, making writing by hand difficult.

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said the right-handed pope is getting more and more used to the cast, and has started using a tape recorder to get his thoughts out.

Benedict, 82, was given a small computer over the weekend, but Lombardi has said the pope hasn't used it. "He's not that technological," Italian news agencies quoted Lombardi as saying. "He creates by writing, and he likes to write with a pen."

Benedict's first book as pope, "Jesus of Nazareth," was published in 2007. In it, the German-born theologian offered a very personal meditation on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and criticized capitalism's exploitation of the poor and the absence of God in Marxism. Publisher Rizzoli has said Benedict's second volume would explore the birth of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection.

In an update Wednesday, Lombardi said the pope was feeling good and in high spirits, and had added a new event on his limited public schedule: He plans to visit to a local clinic to greet the sick on Friday, after celebrating vespers in the local Aosta cathedral.

Benedict arrived in Les Combes, a mountain-top residence overlooking Mont Blanc near Italy's border with France, last week and is due to leave July 29. He broke his wrist during a late-night fall in his room, and doctors have said he'll have to keep the cast on for a month.

Despite the cast, Benedict managed to bless the faithful during his traditional Sunday blessing and seemed to move about with ease.

After leaving Les Combes, Benedict travels to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, in the hills south of Rome, for the rest of the summer. Lombardi confirmed that Benedict's brother, the Rev. Georg Ratzinger, would spend four weeks with the pontiff there, as he has done in previous years.

Benevolens, take note. If you are in Aosta on Friday, the retirement home would be a good place for a "papal intervention".


Pope in "Good Mood", "Dictating Thoughts", says Fr Lombardi

Radio Vatican



(22 Jul 09 - RV) For ten days, Pope Benedict XVI has been enjoying the quietness of Les Combes, Valle d'Aosta, high in the Alps.

A period of rest that has been to some extent signed by the wrist injury that the Pope suffered Friday last, forcing him to change a few habits and personal programs.

However, the Pope is enjoying the natural beauty offered by the landscape around his wooden chalet, while in the capital city of Aosta preparations for Friday are underway, when Pope Benedict XVI will preside over Vespers in the cathedral of the city.

Father Federico Lombardi Director of the Holy See Press Office is in Les Combes with the Pope and described the Holy Father as “well” and “in a good mood”. He says the Pope is “learning how to live with a wrist in plaster and has been equipped with a small recorder to dictate his thoughts, as he is unable to use a pen with ease these days”.

Fr Lombardi adds that the Pope is “also in regular communication by telephone with his brother”, with whom he has a close relationship. In a few days, his brother, Msgr Georg Ratzinger, “will be at Castelgandolfo to spend the weeks of August together with the Pope, as has been customary in past years”.

The Holy Father continues to make a short walk after lunch and in the late afternoon, enjoying the “great serenity and tranquillity” offered by this mountain location.

On Wednesday, Cardinal Bertone came to visit. He has spent the past week in his native village of Romano Canavese before returning to Rome Thursday morning.

This meeting between the Pope and Secretary of State is also part of the holiday tradition, so as to keep the Pope updated regarding problems concerning the current government of the Church.

Fr Lombardi noted that this fraternal moment culminated with Cardinal Bertone lunching together with the Pope.

Meanwhile final touches are being put to the Popes’ next public appointment on Friday the Holy Father will travel to Aosta by car and weather permitting he will be greeted in the central square of the town by a delegation of local authorities. From there he will travel through the centre of the city, passing through the ancient Pretoria gateway to the cathedral. There he will preside over the celebration of Vespers with the priests, religious, and lay representatives of the diocese. The Pope will deliver his homily in Italian and French – both languages are used in the Italian region. Following the celebration, the Pope will emerge from the cathedral onto a small stage from where he will greet the faithful unable to find room in the cathedral. Finally, on his return to Introd, he will also visit and greet guests of a local retirement home.

Can't seem to summon up benevolens, so I expect she has already set out for a certain place. At least it isn't very difficult to get to from her home, so I pronounce her "not mad" !!!! - yet!!!!!! Until she sees Papa!!!!! I couldn't possibly get anywhere near Les Combes myself.

Thanks for the news updates, benefan. I think we can come off "Amber Alert" regarding Papa's wrist now. I saw that little laptop [an Olivetti], given to him last Sunday, but I can't somehow imagine him picking away with his left hand. No, the idea of speaking into a recorder is much better for him. Also, very pleased to know that Bruder Georg will be with him at CG.

No, I'm afraid I'm still sitting at my desk in my office counting down the hours until we can at last set off on our way to the valle d'Aosta. Which unfortunately is not until Saturday morning, so no 'papal intervention' on Friday for me I'm afraid . But I pin my hopes on the Angelus on Sunday and then on next Wednesday when I hope he will go round shaking a few hands as he has done in previous years before leaving.
Or - much better still! - bump into him walking 'quite by chance' and experience just what this lucky lady did:

www.daylife.com/photo/06WQdIO4Rwame?q=benedict+xvi

Noooooooo, I'm not jealous of course!!!! That's when I would definitely go 'mad' Mary!