ALL THE THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT HIM

Some of us have mentioned that it would be fun/nice/inspirational to start a thread where we can list all the many things we love about Papa. So here it is! Here you can say what thing or things you love about Papa and why. You can be brief or you can go on and on. It will be interesting to see how many of us focus on the same things. I am going to let somebody else start this off. Simone is eager to contribute on this subject and I know Maryjos will find it hard to stop once she gets going. It's all yours, girls.

I have written about the period in the early 1980s when I was living in the States and our parish priest (who wasn’t American) seemed to have lost his faith in God altogether. I was profoundly disturbed by his heretical sermons and insistence that leading theologians all thought as he did. I knew I needed to know what the Church was really teaching. Providence led me to find the National Catholic Register and I read about a Cardinal Ratzinger who was in fact the most ‘leading’ theologian, and in the hot seat in Rome. I felt a great joy that such a man existed and had been promoted by the Pope himself. I resolved to find out what I could about him.

I felt and feel immensely grateful to him for the sacrifices he has made throughout the long years, for leaving his beloved Regensburg and having to do a difficult and not very congenial job when he’d far rather be reading, writing and teaching. It did not escape my notice that his appearance was very appealing – he seemed to have it all. The perfect Catholic man. Orthodox but original and open to ideas, firm but kind, strong yet gentle, full of learning but with a simple trusting faith. His enigmatic face shows his feelings openly; this is no chameleon – he isn’t phoney in any way. I have always been attracted to intelligent men, as long as they aren’t wimpy – and here was this true Redcrosse Knight, fighting for the truth against an army of philosophical pygmies not fit to tie his shoelaces. He became my hero. I have to admit that I thought I was the only one who felt like this, and kept my own counsel quite rigorously, but I became acutely sensitive when he was attacked and felt obliged to defend him when I could.

Since the greater publicity given to him, I’ve learned a lot more about the man himself, and I have to say that each new crumb of information adds to my appreciation – he loves animals, especially cats, he likes sweets, he’s musical like so many men in my family and he’s sensitive and is very devoted to his family and loyal to his friends. His family was vehemently anti-Nazi – one could go on and on. I must add that I am aware he isn’t without faults, he does not suffer fools gladly (I doubt that as Pope he makes this too obvious) – but no one is completely perfect and as far as I’m concerned this makes him more human. I don’t harbour any dreams of meeting him and ‘hitting it off’ with him (well, not many…..) because this isn’t really the point. I am grateful to him; he’s done more than anyone to save the Church in the perilous storms of post Modernism, and shown that it’s possible, even necessary, for an intelligent, thinking person to be Christian.

As to his personal charms – we’ve discussed these so many times….Contrary to some media commentators, I think he has a lot of charisma, and it cannot be denied that his face has a rare beauty that surpasses the merely handsome Hollywood types. The hair, the eyes which bewitchingly change colour with the light, and the heart shaped face…..

He is for me the embodiment of the perfect Christian gentleman.

One of the thimgs I admire most on him is his behaviour.
Simple, natural without any pomp, just trying to act as he was someone who is doing his " job". Not a saint, a monarch, just him. He is one of the most powerfull men in the world, but he acts
in a very humble way.
And his joy....Sometime seeing him I remember Bach's piece about Jesus and the joy of men....Joseph Ratzinger certainly has found Jesus and this is where this joy comes from.

[Modificato da @Nessuna@ 13/01/2006 4.53]

As many of you know I was born, baptized, raised and confirmed in the Methodist church. But as a teenager I became aware that things were missing... not full. I searched. But every road seemed to be leading me to the Catholic Church. I had nothing against Catholics, I just didn't think it was for me. JP2 was the first Pope that I actually grew to respect and then love for himself-not the position. My first encounter with Joseph Ratzinger was the evening of April 8, 2005. I had just settled down to watch an encore of the funeral. I listened to the scriptures while I did something else with my hands. Then a voice grabbed my attention, it was full of emotion, hoarse from the tears he undoubtedly shed during the previous week. I walked to the TV and knelt down. With trembling hands I touched the screen. I was transported back almost a year to the funeral of my brother who had been a Methodist minister. 2 of his best friends who were also ministers spoke with words that were also filled with such emotion and tears. Beyond the emotion I also heard the voice of my Earthly Shephard. At 1st I thought it was all a fluke so I listened to all the encores that weekend and it was no fluke. I watched everything, read everything I could to find out more about him. April 19th was pretty much a total waste at work... but when his name was announced I was sooo very happy! But knowing that he was my Earthly Shephard lead to a very big problem: how could I remain Methodist? So I prayed and read the Catechism and prayed and lurked on the RFC forum and did I mention prayed. I read Benedict's books. With such clarity he seemed to be speaking from those pages, "Nan, come Home". I'm obeying.
What I admire most about Papa is his ability to communicate. It doesn't matter if it is by printed word or by a homily, he can make his point understood and crystal clear. The listener may be a child who celebrated his/her First Communion or a Bishop of The Church, it doesn't matter. But then I also admire the way he touches and then kisses babies/small children, his devotion to family and friends, and always his amazing faith in God... the faith in which he said, "Yes" on April 19th.

TOO MANY WAYS TO COUNT

Your tributes to Papa are beautiful and touching, ladies, and have definitely captured what many of us feel and admire about Papa. I know there are many more of you out there who can add to what has been said. I personally will need several posts to list everything I love about him.

Let me just start, as Nan did, by mentioning what I first noticed about Papa, which was while I watched an encore of the funeral Mass for JPII. I had never heard of Joseph Ratzinger before that and I only meant to turn on the Mass briefly. But right near the beginning, the TV camera zoomed in for a closeup of the right side of Papa's face while he was sitting listening to a reading. I was walking past the TV at the time and stopped in my tracks. I wondered, who was that man. And then the thought hit me completely out of the blue that he was going to be the next pope. At that point, I sat down and watched the whole funeral.

I was struck by the serious, dignified, and reverential way he conducted the Mass and when he said the homily, I thought, the cardinals would have to be deaf, blind, and stupid not to choose him to be pope. After that, I looked for information about him on the internet and found his meditations on the way of the cross. That was the final step to becoming a Benaddict. When I read his stunning words, I knew he was a once-in-a-century, absolutely extraordinary individual. Since then, I have bought all his books I can find, DVDs, magazines, and have pored over everything on the Vatican website, the RFC forum and this one. He has opened my eyes to so many aspects of the faith and numerous other issues.

To be continued....

Like some of you girls, the first time I took notice about Papa was at the funeral mass for John Paul II. I was nearly hypnotized by this humble, sensitive silver- haired gentleman and the touching words he said. Honestly, first I had tears in my eyes while watching the mass. And then, as the Cardinal’s voice began to tremble and I saw how strong he had to be in all his own teariness, I was crying like a baby.
Really, I had this feeling just to hug him and to comfort him to make him feel better.
Because I really knew how he felt at that moment, my grandmother died six weeks before John Paul II and all the sad feelings erupted again.
Since that day I was lost … or maybe recovered to the church. I started to read nearly every book he has written and I’ve been fascinated by his words, I still am and I will be for ever. Maybe it sounds a little crazy, but all those things changed my whole life. I also love the way how sensitive he is, his beautiful smile with whom he is capturing everybody. His beautiful shining eyes… Our dear Papa is an absolutely peerless gentleman. There’s no better man for the Popes “job”.
I cannot even imagine that there are people who don’t like him. This seems so totally unthinkable to me. I love Papa with every single fibre of my heart and I will do so forever.

Dear sisters, please, don’t be angry with me, but such a delicate theme makes it necessary to use my own language.
Hope, you will still enjoy it !

Ich liebe sein Haar, sein prächtiges, wundervolles, herrliches Haar.
*
Ich liebe die vorwitzigen Haarsträhnen, die ihm entweder in die Stirn fallen oder die hier und da unter dem Käppchen hervorlugen, so dass man manchmal wirklich an Pinoccio (Zitat Peter Seewald) erinnert wird.
*


Ich liebe seinen prachtvollen Kopf, ganz gleich, ob von vorne, von hinten, von oben, ich liebe sein Profil, egal, ob von rechts oder links.
*
Ich liebe seine Augen, seine unglaublichen Augen, in denen man versinken möchte.
Denkt einmal an die Bischof-Portraits von 1977, da waren seine Augen glutvoll, fast leidenschaftlich. Heute sind seine Augen so voller Wohlwollen und unendlicher Güte.
*
Ich liebe die vielen Lachfältchen um seine Augen.
*


Ich liebe seine unnachahmliche Art, wie er leicht die Augenbrauen hebt und die Stirn runzelt, zum Zeichen des Erstaunens, des Erkennens, der Ermutigung, des Wohlwollens.
Und wenn er dann noch dabei über den Rand der Brille hinwegsieht....Uiuiuiui ! Ratzi-Coma !
*
Ich liebe sein Lachen, besonders sein Lächeln, wenn nur ein klein wenig seine Zähne zu sehen sind.
*
Ich liebe es, wenn er, sobald das letzte Wort gelesen ist, eilig die Brille abnimmt. Als ob eine Brille seine Schönheit beeinträchtigen könnte !
*


Ich liebe es, wie er mit den Kindern umgeht, sie ermutigt, zu ihm zu kommen, so lieb mit ihnen spricht und sie streichelt und segnet. Und wie er die Kleinen zärtlich küsst. Oh selig, oh selig, ein Kind noch zu sein.
*
Ich liebe seine niedlichen Ohren. Bei Herren in seinem Alter wachsen schon mal Haare aus Ohren und Nase. Und ich liebe es, wie sehr er darauf achtet, dass auch nicht ein Härchen zu sehen ist.
*


Ich liebe diese winzigen, weißen Bartstoppeln und ich danke Gott für die hochauflösende Digitalfotographie.
*
Ich liebe seinen Gesichtsausdruck, sein liebes Gesicht, so rein und voller Unschuld, fast kindlich, engelsgleich. Wie ein „strahlendes Kommunionkind“ (Zitat Peter Seewald), jemand der immer noch glüht.
*
Ich liebe seinen Geist, seinen brillanten Verstand, seinen tiefen Glauben, seinen Humor, sein bescheidenes, manchmal scheues Wesen.
*


Ich liebe die Interviews, wenn er während des Sprechens die Augen gesenkt hat. Dann möchte ich behutsam mit meinen Zeigefinger sein Kinn anheben und sagen, „Schau uns doch an“.
*
Ich liebe seine ausdrucksvollen Handgesten beim Sprechen, ich liebe es, wie er die Arme ausbreitet, um uns alle zu begrüßen und zu umarmen.
*
Ich liebe seine wunderbaren Hände, so liebevoll segnend, behütend und Trost spendend.
*


Ich liebe es besonders, wenn er ganz im Gebet versunken ist....so mag er vielleicht auch im Schlaf aussehen.
*
Ich liebe es, wie er beim Beten leicht die Fingerspitzen verschränkt.
*


Erinnert Euch einmal an die Zeit des 18. oder 19. Jahrhunderts, als die Frauen züchtig lange Kleider trugen, und ein Mann schon beim Anblick einer zarten Fußfessel außer Fassung geriet. So geht es mir, wenn einmal etwas mehr von seinem Arm zu sehen ist, schon möchte ich 100 Küsse darauf hauchen.
*
Ich liebe seine elegante Art zu gehen, mit kleinen Schritten, ich liebe den Boden, über den er gegangen ist und die Luft, die er geatmet hat.
*
Ich liebe seine zierliche Gestalt.
*
Ich liebe seine Stimme, so sanft und hell, so lieb und gut, den bayerischen Klang, die lang gezogenen Vokale, sein leises Lachen, das so rauh klingt und ganz hell, wenn er sich sehr freut. Ich könnte ihm stundenlang zuhören. Ich muss gar nicht alles verstehen. Seine Stimme wirkt auf mich wie eine Kombination aus Adrenalin und Valium.
*


Ich liebe seine Handschrift, so sorgfältig und präzise.

Und was könnte man noch alles lieben, wenn man nur noch mehr wüsste.........................

WOOOOOOOW !!!! Bravoooooo Simone !!! This is so thrilling. You said it exactly like it is. I have goosebumbs (Gänsehaut, richtig ?) now ....

Hello anglophone friends! Just a short "incursion" from the main forum. I like some topics you have in this section and I like dropping a few lines sometimes.

So, what I love and admire most about our Pope. His words, mainly. His innate ability of making plain what seems hard and difficult to explain and, vice versa, of making deep and insightful what apparently looks simple.

And also the way he offers us a new, joyful perspective in interpreting things we take for granted about the Word of God.

For instance when he baptized in the Sistine Chapel last January 8th he said the Decalogue is not a bunch of prohibitions. Actually since most of the Commandments are presented us in the "shall not" form I always looked at them a bit like that, just like forbiddings.
But after I listened to his speech I felt uplifted because I realised how any NO means a more significant YES, that when we say no to murder we say yes to life, when we say no to false witness we say yes to truth, when we say no to stealing we say yes to justice and so on. With every homily of his he really fills my heart with joy.

Thanks God for having gifted Papa Ratzi of such skills and for having gifted us of such a Pastor.



Bye bye to you all.

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC RESPONSES, GIRLS! I only regret that I am unable to do an
immediate translation of Simone's list now (by tonight, I hope) - all I can say
is the obvious: that we can all say yes to every single point she makes! And Jil,
I would love to see your 'secret list' - maybe you will share it by private e-mail? -
in addition to what you will be posting publicly!

OH, NO

If Jil emails the "private" list to you, Teresa, she will have to email it to all the rest of us. We are all curious and have lively imaginations.

Seconded!

Where shall I start? It's so difficult because there's nothing that I don't love about him. Ok, I have a go:


I love

1. his eyes, that are blue and green and smiling and full of warmth

2. his smile, it goes straight into your heart

3. like most of you, I love his hair, I'm sure it's so soft and I would love to

4. his clothes, he is always elegant and well dressed without being vain

5. Papa's family! When I read milestones where he talks about his parents, his brother and sister, you can feel how much love there is in this family

6. his faith! It touches me when I see how strong his faith is. It gives me so much hope.

7. Papas voice, his accent. When I watch him on TV or via Internet I sometimes close my eyes and just listen to his voice. Actually it sounds different in each language and when he speaks French for exemple, it sounds so elegant....

8. his hands.....I remember when I was in Rome and attended the audience I couldn't take my eyes off his beautiful hands.

9. his discipline! I don't know how he manages, at the age of 78 to carry out so many duties, to hold audiences, meetings, all the masses, all the books he has written, and he could have a quiet life now, together with his brother in Bavaria.

10. Papa's charme - I have no words to describe how he makes me feel when I look at him when I listen to him. I think I can call it love. Yes, he was beautiful when he was a young man, but he still is regardless his age. He's a sight for sore eyes and it makes me breathless to think about meeting him for just five minutes....although I know this will never happen! But it will be my dream forever.

Actually, I found some unexpected time to do a translation of Simone's lovely and loving litany
this morning - difficult only in that German has so many words to say "wonderful" that I wanted
to be sure to get the precise sense in which each such synonym was used, and I do not know if
I succeeded in each case. But please be sure to refer back to Simone's illustrations when necessary!
And by the way, even if you have already posted once in this thread, please feel free
to post again (and again and again...) whenever you think of something else!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------

I love that wonderful head, no matter from what angle, from infront, from the back, from on top,
and I I love his hair – his splendid, wonderful, gorgeous hair.
(Picture of Papa's head with ciuffo)

I love the pert hair strands which either fall over his forehead or stick out here and there
from under his papal cap, so that one truly is reminded of Pinocchio (as Peter Seewald has noted).
I love his profile, from the right or the left.

I love his eyes, his incredible eyes in which one could drown. Think of his portraits as Archbishop
in 1977, when the eyes were blazing, almost passionate. Now his eyes are full of benvolence and
endless goodness...

I love the many laughlines around his eyes.

I love the inimitable way in which he raises his eyebrows slightly, furrowing his forehead,
to express surprise, recognition, encouragement, goodwill… And when he does that, looking
over the top of his eyeglasses….oh wow! Ratzi-Coma!!!!
[Picture of Papa doing just that]

I love his laugh, but especially his smile, when he shows his teeth only very slightly.

I love it when, as soon as he has read the last word (in his prepared text), he takes off
his eyeglasses quickly – as if the glasses could detract at all from his beauty!

I love how he behaves with children, how he encourages them to come to him, how lovable he is
when he speaks to them and caresses them and blesses them. And how he tenderly kisses them.
Oh, happy, happy, happy (thought) to be a child once again!
[Picture of papa kissing a baby]

I love his sweet little ears [”niedlich” is an adjective of endearment]! Men of his age
usually have hair growing out of their ears and nose. I love it that he takes great care that not
a hair is to be seen (in those places).

I love the tiny white beard stubble, and thank God for high-resolution digital photography!
[Close-up of Papa from PhotoGallery, in which the stubble she refers to is clearly seen when
the picture is in large format]

I love his facial expressions, his beloved face, so pure and innocent, almost childlike, angelic.
Like a “radiant child at First Communion” (again in the words of Peter Seewald), someone who is
always glowing.

I love his spirit, his brilliant mind, his deep faith, his humor, his simple often shy character.

I love it when during interviews, he speaks with downcast eyes. At such times, I would love
to carefully lift his chin with my index finger and say, “Come now, look at us!”
[Picture of Ratzi looking down, from Sylvie's video-captures
of a TV Suisse Romande interview]

I love his expressive hand gestures when he speaks. I love it when he extends his arms to greet
and embrace us all.

I love his wonderful hands, which lovingly bless and protect and dispense comfort.

I love it especially when he is deep in prayer – he may look like that when he is asleep!
[Papa in prayer]

I love it when he clasps his fingers to pray.

Remember in the 18th or 19th centuries, when women wore long dresses and men would go crazy
if they just saw a glimpse of an ankle? That’s how it is with me when I so much as see a bit more
of his arm – I could heap a hundred kisses on it.
[Papa on red sofa with part of upheld right arm showing under black sleeve]

I love his elegant way of walking, with small steps. I love the earth over which he walks and
the air that he has breathed.

I love his delicate figure (build). [Simone, he has a little belly now!]

I love his voice, so mild and clear, so lovable and good, the Bavarian accent, the drawn-out
vowels, his laugh that sounds hoarse and bright when he is particularly pleased. I could
listen to him for hours. I don’t have to understand everything! His voice affects me like
a combination of adrenalin and Valium!

I love his handwriting, so careful and precise.
[Picture of a handwritten note - When I can see it in larger size, maybe I will translate it]

And what other things one could love about him if only one knew more…..

Thank you for that lovely translation, Teresa, Simone's words are very moving, and our hearts echo their sentiments.

Now then, Teresa, it is your turn......

Dear Sisters, ditto, ditto, ditto. But there is one thing that gets me every time and I'm surprised that no one has mentioned it: it is this INTENSE way he looks at person when he gives them the host. It is almost like he wants to penetrate their soul. I could watch him give communion for hours. Oh, to be the recipient of this look.....

Dear Friends,
I arrived at this thread too late, for you have indeed said it all for me! There's a line in a poem that goes "...and never call it loving", but I always call it loving, the way I feel about Papa Benedetto, Joseph Ratzinger. Simone, you made me cry, because it's all so beautiful and in German [I can understand much of it]. My photo shows Papa with an angel and he is an angel himself, sent for us. He has done so much for me, spiritually; he has shown me that daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration give us so much peace and love and truth; he has introduced me to a reading of theology through his books [[I'll never get through them all!]. Above all, he has made me HAPPY and brought me friendships with like-minded people.
Love and Peace,
Mary x Ich liebe Papa!

How do I love these? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth of height
My soul can reach when feeling out of sight.
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace,
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for light:
I love these purely as they turn from praise
I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears of all my life! -
And, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
[Elizabeth Barrett Browning]

Thank you everyone for sharing...

...your reasons for caring for Il Papa. It's heart warming to realise that these reactions to him are not only one's own, but are identical to those of so many people.

Dear sisters
….you’ve said it all! I’m soo touched by your posts, every single word echoes what we all feel. Nan, reading your post was like reading my own story, although I’m a few steps behind you. Papa changed my life. He made me realise that Jesus has a place in my life. I’ve “adopted” Papa as my shepherd, sort of, but I’m still a protestant, slightly confused (on where I belong.)

Let me count the ways…..(oohhh, I love that poem)
I also realise that when I’m not going STUNC or SMUACK or UMMM, I’m moving on ...”thin ice” (if one can use that expression in english?) But unless Teresa has any knowledge of the norwegian language (..????), I must try to find the exact words myself.

I love the contradictions in Papa’s personality. He’s brilliant – and humble.
Being the senior theologian in the RCC, he is still able to speak in a simple manner and use images we all understand. In all his behaviour, he gives credit to the Lord.
He’s serious – and has a great sense of humour. When celebrating Mass, his deep concentration, his “presence” and his prayers add something special to it. His humour is not “noisy” but simply discreet remarks.
He’s strong – and sensitive. He’s strong in his faith and expects others, especially the clergy, to be so. He doesn't tolerate carelessness. We’ve seen lots of examples on him being emotional: JP’s funeral Mass, his first appearance on the loggia, the Inauguration Mass etc.
When I first started to search for information on the Cardinal, I read somewhere that he felt really bad about his reputation as the “panzerkardinal”, and my heart aced for him. What I wish for our dear Papa, is that he always will feel the “huge waves” of love from us to him.




Papa: We Love You !!!

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I love his delicate figure (build). [Simone, he has a little belly now!]

---

A belly........? I’ve never seen a belly........!



Hahaha, Teresa, it’s just fun !
Yes, you’re right, he has a sweet, little belly now. I didn’t list it in my “love-list”, because it belongs to the prohibited area.
But I’m sure, I could love that “terra incognita” too !

Thank you so much again for your translation, I would be lost in cyberspace without your help.

And, dear sisters, it’s a great joy (choy) for me, to read your wonderful, warm and emotional posts. That shows me, our feelings are all the same, and I’m glad to be here together with you to share them.

Thanks Simone!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Teresa!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Maryjos!!!!!!!!
and the others!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm deeply moved, your lists are so exhaustive that it's impossible to add anything!
When I'm looking at Benedict, I always remember Giacomo Leopardi,Italian poet who writes in his poem "ASilvia"
"Lingua mortal non dice
quel ch'io sentiva in seno"
which sounds approximately so:
"Mortal language can't express
what I felt in my own soul"
Thank you all, dear friends!
vallifra

Hey, girls, have a look at that pic, and what will you see ?
Hairs in the nose !
Dear Papa, nobody is perfect !

@Willow

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it is this INTENSE way he looks at person when he gives them the host. It is almost like he wants to penetrate their soul. I could watch him give communion for hours. Oh, to be the recipient of this look.....

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You're right, Willow, that is really wonderful to watch.

Can you imagine, that there is a stupid idiot, who wants to sell at ebay a consecrated host given by Papa ? I have no words.

www.kreuz.net/article.2539.html

ooooooo Simone, you're killing me here! Maybe he was in a rush to get ready that morning and didn't have time to check. Yet another reason for me and/or Maryjos to take put permanent residence at the Vatican to make sure...

...I feel myself drowning in pure joy and wondrous exaltation!

What a lovely pic of Papa with the little baby. He is holding the kiddy so carefully and tenderly. How sweet ..

And I always thought all encyclicals were stodgy and hard to read! Has anyone ever made a "joke"
inside an encyclical before?- how about Benedict's reference to the greetings exchanged by Descartes
and an epicure of his time!

...And his wonders will never cease....

[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 26/01/2006 2.41]

Glad that you're excited about it, Teresa-Benedetta. I'm on my way to a second reading. Marvelous content and style.