PICTURES AND VIDEOS

I agree with those of you who said Papa has lost weight, he certainly has. On the other hand he doesn't look frail or anything to me. For a man nearing his 85th year he is in remarkably good shape I'd say don't you think? It's only natural he would tread more carefully than he did say 3 or 4 years ago and now readily accepts help getting up/down stairs etc. to make sure he doesn't risk another fall which could have much more severe consequences than his tumble in summer of 2009 while on holiday. And let's not forget he slipped and fell during the Pentecost mass as early as 2008 (if I remember correctly), so these precautions may not be related to any fast decline. Contrarily to what benedetto.fan observed during Papa's boarding of the gondola in Venice (which would always be a rather wobbly affair!)I noticed with what quick and firm steps Papa mounted the long flight of stairs outside the Signora della Salute in Venice albeit with a helping hand. So I don't thing we need to be unduly worried at all. Which doesn't mean of course we shouldn't keep praying for his continuous good health and safety.
Ad multos annos, carissimo Papa!

Wow!!!

What great pics you have posted, benevolens. Everybody check the page before this one to see Papa meeting with young people in San Marino. When you see Papa around kids, he looks at least 20 years younger. He is definitely in his element.

Thanks so much for all the photos, benevolens. We definitely need as many Papa pics as we can get on this forum.

I agree with benevolens about the situation of the Holy Father.
I've been quite turned off by predictions of decline and premature eulogies.

Ladies! Get off the gloomy stuff! He's lost some weight and accepts help more easily as he did before. No need to turn into paranoid, pessimistic mother hens.

Benevolens those pics are... very nice! Yes Papa looks at least 20 years younger when he is surrounded by students!

Benevolens and cowgirl: I agree with you 100%!!!

Some of Stefano's amazing photos of the Corpus Domini mass and procession.

Spaziani does it again....

Yes benevolens, he certainly did!!! Amazing photos, thanks for sharing!!!

Terrific pics as always, benevolens!

Thanks for sharing. Papa looks so serious and concerned.

WONDERFUL!!!!

[Modificato da GABRIELLA.JOSEPHINE 29/06/2011 19:09]

JOSEPHINE

"OMNIA POSSUNT IN EO QUI ME CONFORTAT"

Hello everybody,
I am glad many noticed that too.
Actually during the Corpus Christ Procession he looks very tired and sweaty. (No wonder after I....umh.... )
I think it was hot in St. Peter´s Cathedral and I am glad he didn´t catch a cold outside afterwards.

Regarding the pics of San Marino I have to say Papa is not only looking tired, his left eye is red and seems to be inflamed.

Thank God during the last Angelus last sunday he looked fit and fresh again.

He must be on the way to his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo and I hope he will rest and refresh and gain energy.
All the best for our beloved Papa.

maryjos, 07.07.2011 21:59:

---

A lovely set of photos, Benevolens! I saw it all on television, but there were no close ups like Spaziani's! My two friends from Easter were there and walked in the procession, but I didn't go to Rome until the following week [last week!] for the Pallium Mass. It was boiling hot - about 35 degrees Celsius - but I loved it. Very hot in Saint Peter's for Papa, though.

Yes, I've been watching Papa's left eye for some years. I think it's weaker than his right eye and the prescription for his glasses seems to me to be stronger for that eye. Perhaps it was affected when he had that stroke? We can only guess, because as I've said before on this forum, we love Pope Benedict but we don't claim to be Vaticanistas.

Welcome to our new member, Giselle! Sorry, I haven't visited the forum recently.

Do look on the Chatter thread, where I've posted my article which is printed in our parish magazine.

Love to all, still tired after last week in Rome, but VERY happy!!!!

---

I think after you went to St. Peters it was even hotter.....

The sublime, holy beauty of Benedict XVI!!!!! Takes your breath away! Thank you, Flo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Although I was there, I didn't have the privilege of seeing him this close until the end of Mass.

He was given by God!

GREAT HAIR!

[Modificato da Giselle 1 18/07/2011 12:22]

[IMG]http:// Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

We may already have this one somewhere, but it could be new to Giselle. Papa Montini, Paul VI, with a young cardinal........

Even then he had the coolest haircut of his time!!!!

GABRIELLA.JOSEPHINE, 7/24/2011 3:09 PM:

---

---

The two cute brothers......

28/06/2011 16:22:54:
Am kommenden Mittwoch begeht Papst Benedikt XVI. sein 60-jähriges