NEWS ABOUT BENEDICT

Holy cow! Imagine that, these people are hiking around so harmless and suddenly: there he is!
Benevolens, good luck for your trip and hopefully you will bump into Papa too. Don't forget to give the camera to your hubby.

Here is a link to a small segment of a video that shows the women and kids meeting Papa on his walk. It doesn't show the part pictured in that link benevolens posted. If anybody can find the full video, please post it.

By the way, benevolens, we are counting on you, not only to "accidentally" bump into Papa on one of his walks but to get the encounter on film.

www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=108469&videoChannel=1


Here's a report from Radio Vatican:

Pope Enjoys Unexpected Encounter on Holiday

(23 Jul 09 - RV) Pope Benedict continues his period of rest in Les Combes of Introd, Northern Italy.

In his daily update, Vatican Press Office Director Fr Federico Lombardi gave a glimpse of one of the more intimate moments of the Pope’s vacation period, describing one of the rare and un-programmed encounters between the Pope and families from the local community.

He described how last night during his usual evening walk, near the village of Les Combes Pope Benedict came upon a group of five children, accompanied by their mothers, with whom he stopped to share a few words. During the course of the conversation one of the children described to the Pope how in winter-time his home in the Rhemes Valley, is covered by snow reaching up to 6 metres in depth, at which the Holy Father expressed his surprise and wonder.

The anecdote gives an idea of the moments of light relief enjoyed by the Pope during his period of rest in the Alpine Valley of Aosta. But as the Pope himself informed journalists, the two weeks, which draw to a close on July 29th, will also be spent at work.

In fact Fr Lombardi reports that on Thursday Pope Benedict dedicated quite some time to studying documents brought him Wednesday by Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone.

All of this despite his current wrist injury. Fr Lombardi also informs that a portable X-ray machine has been brought to the wooden Chalet where the Pope is staying, from the local hospital in the capital town Aosta, to check up on the Holy Father’s progress in recovery.

On Friday Pope Benedict XVI will make the second programmed public appearance of this vacation period, when he will join the Christian community in the cathedral of Aosta for evening prayer.

Well, there hasn't been a dull moment this week! I quite expected no news at all, but here we go again.....more lucky children! For once I am speechless!
But, do look at Papa's hair in this video! Isn't it absolutely stunning!


Flaming Nora, benevolens!!!!!!!!!! I've just gone back to the previous page and clicked on your link to that photo. Government Health Warning needed for that, methinks!!!! Yes, of course I'm jealous of that lucky lady! But who knows what will happen to YOU next week, benevolens - I shan't be jealous of you, don't worry. We are all rooting for you! Don't forget your will be from all of us!

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After a swift surf of the usual blogs, I read on one of them that the lady Papa kissed has cancer, hence the scarf, so I take back what I said - naturally one can't help feeling envious, but she deserves her few moments with him.

Flaming Nora

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!

It's just too 'historic' not to share right away!

Well. If he ever crosses my path wearing that beret, you might as well visit me in some local prison, or possibly the local mad house...
That beret def. calls for a full frontal attack!!!
Hills, security people, trees.. so what!!!

Too cute for words


Didn't we suggest that white beret years ago? We had a huge discussion about it. I am so glad somebody at the Vatican listens to us now and then. He really looks adorable.

Just watched a really lovely Vespers from Aosta Cathedral, thanks to EWTN- and for once there was no annoying translation. Papa didn't wear a cope [thank goodness; I was wondering how he would cope with a cope!]. Saw him arrive in an open jeep and walk into the cathedral. He prayed for a few minutes, then went to his chair. The choir stalls on either side were occupied by monks in white. For Vespers Papa wore his mozzetta and a stole which I remember from WYD 2005 in Cologne. In fact, he didn't look a day older than he did then. He was waving his much-bandaged right hand about rather alarmingly and gave the blessing with his right hand too. He's magnificent!!!!!!

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A WHITE beret - at last!!!!!!! It's taken Papa a long time to swap the black one for a white one [and so much more decorous than that baseball cap]. I wonder if it came from Accessorize in Monsoon One thing is certain, if they still have the white ones in there this season, I shall be buying one!!!!!!! What a photo!!!!!!!!
Thanks a million!!!!!!!!
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No beret! No zuchetto! And right hand nonchalantly draped across the bar of the jeep! Honestly, Papa's boyishness is amazing. [I saw GG put the zuchetto back on to Papa's head just before they entered the cathedral. Obviously it's as blustery there as it has been here today]

During Alpine prayer service, pope says real power is love, mercy

By Catholic News Service
July 24, 2009

AOSTA, Italy (CNS) -- In a world where power often is used to dominate or oppress others, Christians profess belief in an all-powerful God who demonstrates his might through his love and mercy, Pope Benedict XVI said.

"The height of God's power is that he could suffer with us and for us," the pope said July 24 during an evening prayer service in Aosta, a city in the Italian Alps near where he has been vacationing since July 13.

Some 400 priests, religious and laypeople from the Diocese of Aosta and each of its parishes filled the little Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, which is less than 10 miles from where the pope has been staying.

The pope pulled up to the cathedral standing in the back of a green army Jeep. His broken right wrist in a cast, he waved to the crowd with his left hand.

Standing on the cathedral steps after the service, Pope Benedict greeted the hundreds of people who did not fit in the church and wished them a happy and healthy vacation "without accidents."

The pope was not wearing the sling he had been seen wearing since breaking his wrist July 17. For the liturgy, he was more simply dressed than he usually is for the celebration of vespers, wearing a red stole instead of a heavy cope.

The liturgy was celebrated in Italian and French, the two predominant languages spoken in the region on the Italian-French border.

In his homily, the pope said that in discussions with bishops from Africa, Asia and other areas where there is still a large population following traditional or folk religions it is clear that people believe there is one God, but he seems far away or hidden, so their daily faith focuses on spirits and ancestors, which are closer to them.

The novelty preached by Christianity, he said, is that God became human and revealed himself to humanity, opening the possibility of a personal relationship with him.

"We don't have to deal with other powers, because he is the power," Pope Benedict said.

Many modern men and women "almost feel threatened by the omnipotence of God, as if it would limit our freedom," he said, "but we must learn that God's power is not an arbitrary power because God is goodness, he is truth."

"God can do anything, but he cannot act against what is good, cannot act against what is true, cannot act against love or against freedom because he himself is goodness, love and true liberty," he said.

When God watches over people, he is not engaged in surveillance, but in caring for and keeping his creatures safe, the pope said.

Naturally when people today think of power, he said, they think of the rich who use their money to control others or of those with military might who oppress others, but that is not real power, he said.

"Stalin's question, 'How many troops does the pope have?' still characterizes most people's idea of what power is," he said.

But the Gospel teaches that "the apex of God's power is mercy and forgiveness," the pope said.

Pope Benedict said it is natural to ask why, if God is all-powerful, he had to send his Son to suffer and die to save the world.

"It was necessary because there is an ocean of evil, injustice, hatred and violence in the world and the many victims of hatred and injustice have a right to see the creation of justice," he said.

"God cannot ignore the cry of those who suffer because of injustice. To forgive is not to ignore, but to transform. So God had to enter into this world to oppose the ocean of injustice with a vaster ocean of goodness and love," the pope said.

Pope Benedict said that all followers of Christ are called to fulfill the priestly role of offering their own sacrifice to transform the world, "so that the world itself would become a living host," as described in "the great vision of (Pierre) Teilhard de Chardin," a French Jesuit.

"May the Lord help us to be priests in this sense: to assist in the transformation of the world," the pope prayed.

A brief video clip from the evening visit to Aosta


tg24.sky.it/tg24/cronaca/2009/07/24/il_papa_ai_fedeli_buone_vacanze_ma_senza_incide...

Vatican: pope's wrist healing well

(AP)
July 25, 2009

VATICAN CITY — Doctors examined Pope Benedict XVI's broken wrist at the pontiff's Alpine vacation chalet and are pleased with how the injury is healing, a Vatican spokesman said Saturday.

During the half-hour checkup, the cast on the fractured right wrist was removed and a new one put on, the Rev. Federico Lombardi said in a statement.

The 82-year-old pope had surgery at the hospital on July 17 on his right wrist, which he fractured in a fall in the chalet near Aosta.

Doctors from Aosta hospital as well as Vatican doctors carried out medical and radiological exams at the chalet in the mountains near the French border, Lombardi said.

The exams yielded "excellent results," said Lombardi.

"The (healing) process is good and is in line with what was expected," the spokesman said.

At noon Sunday, Benedict will recite prayers and greet the public on a meadow outside the chalet, after local bishops celebrate Mass.

Among the doctors involved in Saturday's checkup was a Rome hospital orthopedist who will continue the pope's care when he returns to Castel Gandolfo, the Vatican holiday retreat near Rome, as well as when he is back in the Vatican, Lombardi said.

Traditionally, the pope spends much of the summer at the Castel Gandolfo palace in the lakeside hill town after a briefer holiday in the cool mountains in Italy's north.

Local pastry chefs told Italian TV they had sent a strudel and raspberry torte to the German-born pope's chalet in Les Combes in the Val d'Aosta region, where the pontiff is scheduled to stay until July 29.

A local cleric told TV the pope's aides had asked for deliveries of small baskets of blueberries, blackberries and other berries, for which the region is famed. The pope's kitchen was also being stocked with various kinds of lettuce from a garden planted by disabled people outside the chalet.

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Here's a YouTube clip of the homily at Vespers in Aosta.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Eky8-ztrFk

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Great!! That's good news. For sure! It seems like he's in good hands.

I'm so glad they spoil him to death with Strudel and Himbeertorte !
Blueberries and blackberries! Perfect!!

And then his brother is going to be with him at CG. Even better!

Today's angelus


Where's benevolens?

tg24.sky.it/tg24/cronaca/2009/07/26/papa_nonni_depositari_dei_valori_fondament...

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For Pope we must pray for and be grateful to all the grandparents of the world

Pope makes request on his last Sunday in Valle d’Aosta. On 29 July he will travel to Castel Gandolfo. The multiplication of the loaves and the fish suggests how we can help Jesus. The Pope’s broken wrist is healing, as shown by an X-ray carried out yesterday.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pray for “all the grandparents of the world” who are witnesses to fundamental values and play an important educational role for young people, especially in today’s world. Pope Benedict XVI gave the advice as he spoke to a crowd of a few thousands who had joyfully gathered in front of the cottage in Les Combes, where the Holy Father is staying until next Wednesday, 29 July, for a short period of rest.
“A good Sunday to all of you!,” Benedict XVI said as he greeted those present. “We meet here in Les Combes at such a comfortable house which the Salesians have put at the disposal of the Pope, where I am completing a period of rest amid the beautiful mountains of Valle d’Aosta. I am glad God gave me an opportunity to enjoy these days amid these beautiful mountains of yours, a time of real relaxation, despite a small accident which you all know about and can see.”

Playfully the Pope raised the arm with the broken wrist, which is healing nicely as shown by an x-ray that was done yesterday.

Taking his lead from today’s Gospel, “in this splendid Sunday in which the Lord shows us all the beauty of creation,” Benedict XVI focused on two passages.

The first one is about the multiplication of the loaves and the fish. John, pointing to the loaves as a “sign”, “emphasised how Christ, before he distributed them, blessed them with a prayer of thanksgiving (cf 11). The verb he used was eucharistein, a direct reference to story of the Last Supper in which John mentions the washing of the feet, but not of the institution of the Eucharist. Here the Eucharist is anticipated as the great sign of the bread of life.”

“In this Year for Priests, how can we not remember that especially we priests can relate to this Johannine text, identifying with the Apostles when they said: Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” Indeed “when we read about the boy who had five barley loaves and two fish, we too can say: What good are these for so many? In other words, what am I? How can I, within my limits, help Jesus in his mission? The Lord himself has the answer. Precisely by placing themselves in his ‘holy and venerable’ hands do priests, however small they may be, become tools of salvation for so many, for everyone.”

A second point upon which to reflect comes from today’s remembrance of Saints Joachim and Anne, Our Lady’s parents, grandparents to Jesus. Thus we are led to think about education, which has such an important place in the pastoral work of the Church, to pray in particular for grandparents, who in the family are the repository and witnesses to the fundamental values of life. Grandparents’ educational role is always very important, and it becomes even more so, for a number of reasons, when parents are not able to be with their children during the early part of their life.”

“With a special blessing I place all the grandparents of the world under the protection of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim. May the Virgin Mary, who according to a beautiful iconography learnt about the Holy Scriptures on the knees of her mother Anne, always help them nurture the faith and instil hope from the sources of the Word of God.”

The Pontiff concluded his address with a “special blessing for all the grandparents of the world,” adding at the moment of taking his leave a thought “for the elderly, especially those who might be alone or in difficulty.

When it was time to say goodbye he told everyone “not to forget God during your holidays, because he is by your side, accompanying with you.”

She seems to be in a pretty good spot to watch the today's Angelus prayer.




I am sorry, but I took the pic right from the TV screen, sorry for the poor quality.

Thank you, benefan, for posting the video clip of the Angelus prayer. By the way, what group is that with the banner "Benedict we love you"?
A group in competition with us? Hey, hey!

Thanks

...for alerting us about benevolens, Mary, and
...for posting the screen cap, Simone.

Papa can't escape the intrepid girls of the forum. Did anybody happen to see benedetto.fan? I wonder if she is there too.

Not sure why these details are coming out now but....


Vatican says pope fell looking for light switch
Jul 27, 11:06 AM EDT

ROME (AP) -- The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI was looking for a light switch in the bedroom of his Alpine chalet when he tripped and broke his wrist while on vacation 10 days ago.

Papal spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi gave new details of how the fall happened at the mountain house in Les Combes, near the French border.

Lombardi told Sky TG24 TV Monday that the pope stumbled against a leg of his bed while searching for the switch in the unfamiliar room.

The pope didn't call for help, and the next morning wanted to celebrate Mass as usual. But Lombardi said Benedict's right wrist was "swollen and painful" and a doctor was called.

Doctors say a checkup Saturday on the 82-year-old pope shows the fracture is healing well. Benedict flies back to the Rome area on Wednesday.

Pope confirms visit to Shroud of Turin; new evidence on shroud emerges

By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
July 27, 2009

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI confirmed his intention to visit the Shroud of Turin when it goes on public display in Turin's cathedral April 10-May 23, 2010.

Cardinal Severino Poletto of Turin, papal custodian of the Shroud of Turin, visited the pope July 26 in Les Combes, Italy, where the pope was spending part of his vacation. The Alpine village is about 85 miles from Turin.

The cardinal gave the pope the latest news concerning preparations for next year's public exposition of the shroud and the pope "confirmed his intention to go to Turin for the occasion," said the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, in a written statement July 27.

The specific date of the papal visit has yet to be determined, the priest added.

The last time the Shroud of Turin was displayed to the public was in 2000 for the jubilee year. The shroud is removed from a specially designed protective case only for very special spiritual occasions, and its removal for study or display to the public must be approved by the pope.

The shroud underwent major cleaning and restoration in 2002.

According to tradition, the 14-foot-by-4-foot linen cloth is the burial shroud of Jesus. The shroud has a full-length photonegative image of a man, front and back, bearing signs of wounds that correspond to the Gospel accounts of the torture Jesus endured in his passion and death.

The church has never officially ruled on the shroud's authenticity, saying judgments about its age and origin belonged to scientific investigation. Scientists have debated its authenticity for decades, and studies have led to conflicting results.

A recent study by French scientist Thierry Castex has revealed that on the shroud are traces of words in Aramaic spelled with Hebrew letters.

A Vatican researcher, Barbara Frale, told Vatican Radio July 26 that her own studies suggest the letters on the shroud were written more than 1,800 years ago.

She said that in 1978 a Latin professor in Milan noticed Aramaic writing on the shroud and in 1989 scholars discovered Hebrew characters that probably were portions of the phrase "The king of the Jews."

Castex's recent discovery of the word "found" with another word next to it, which still has to be deciphered, "together may mean 'because found' or 'we found,'" she said.

What is interesting, she said, is that it recalls a passage in the Gospel of St. Luke, "We found this man misleading our people," which was what several Jewish leaders told Pontius Pilate when they asked him to condemn Jesus.

She said it would not be unusual for something to be written on a burial cloth in order to indicate the identity of the deceased.

Frale, who is a researcher at the Vatican Secret Archives, has written a new book on the shroud and the Knights Templar, the medieval crusading order which, she says, may have held secret custody of the Shroud of Turin during the 13th and 14th centuries.

She told Vatican Radio that she has studied the writings on the shroud in an effort to find out if the Knights had written them.

"When I analyzed these writings, I saw that they had nothing to do with the Templars because they were written at least 1,000 years before the Order of the Temple was founded" in the 12th century, she said.

Benedict XVI first pope to pay tribute to St Wenceslas

ČTK | 20 JULY 2009

Prague, July 17 (CTK) - Pope Benedict XVI will be the first Christian church head to pay tribute to the memory of St Wenceslas, the patron saint of Czechs, during his visit to the Czech Republic in September, church representatives told journalists Friday.

The Pope will visit Stara Boleslav, central Bohemia, on September 28, the day when Czechs commemorate the martyr death of St Wenceslas who was killed there in 935.

Two Benedict XVI's predecessors visited Stara Boleslav, one of the oldest and most important places of pilgrimage from the Roman Catholic point of view in the Czech lands, but it was still before they were elected pope, journalists were told.

In 1588 Stara Boleslav welcomed cardinal Hipolit Aldobrandini who later become Pope Clement VIII.

In 1929 priest Angelo Roncalli arrived in Stara Boleslav. In 1958 he became Pope John XXIII.

Pope Benedict XVI will visit the basilica of St Wenclesas from the 11th century in the morning before the mass on September 28.

He will then address participants in the St Wenceslas pilgrimage that is expected to attract some 30,000 people.

The Pope will stay in the Czech Republic on September 26-28.

"The Holy Father must take care of all people, this is the content of his work. This means he must take care even of the 'sinners,' that is of us," former Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg, who is planning to go to Stara Boleslav, told CTK.

When he spoke about sinners, he was alluding to that Czechs are considered atheists in their majority.

The thousand-years old tradition of Stara Boleslav pilgrimages was interrupted by the communist regime. It was resumed after the regime's fall in late 1989.