Popeless in Rome

This past week we saw the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from his papal office. When the news of his resignation as Pope was first announced, I was impressed by the personal humility displayed by the Pope. When you think about it, being the Pope is a pretty big deal. Here’s a guy who holds a lot of power. He is revered globally by millions of Catholics and non-Catholics alike. In this day and age, people aspire to obtain power and fame (or infamy) and generally aren’t willing to give it up without a fight, or without a team of publicists putting a positive spin on it.

The Pope cited his health, and in particular his strength, or lack thereof, as a major reason for his resignation. He knew that physically he could no longer serve God and the Catholic Church to the fullest of his abilities. If he couldn't do the job well, he would rather step aside so that someone else can fill those papal shoes.

What has surprised me, and perhaps I’m only surprised because of my own naiveté, is the global response to the Pope’s resignation. While there are many like me who have been impressed with Pope Benedict’s humility, some of the responses have been rather offensive. I would expect that kind of thing from someone like Bill Maher, a professing atheist with a questionable moral code, but to hear many classifying the Pope as a pedophile and abuser just because he is part of the Catholic Church, I find quite distasteful.

I looked up some information on Pope Benedict XVI and discovered that although he was considered to be more liberal prior to becoming Pope, he later favoured a return to conservative, fundamental Catholic doctrines and principles. So then the negative response to the Pope makes sense to me; here was a Pope who taught the importance of a relationship with Jesus, prayer and adherence to Biblical teaching to a fallen world that embraces its vices and doesn’t want to be told to change its ways.

So what can I learn from Pope Benedict XVI, although I am not a Catholic, but I am a believer in Jesus Christ? I am not a theologian or a scholar by any means, but that doesn’t limit or exclude me from being a servant. I want to have a servant heart at home, at work, and with whomever I interact with. I want to be one who prays “without ceasing”, worships God wholeheartedly, and walks daily in the joy and goodness of who God is in my life. I don't need to be the Pope to do these things.

An excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI’s homily at his inauguration:

At this point, my mind goes back to 22 October 1978, when Pope John Paul II began his ministry here in Saint Peter’s Square. His words on that occasion constantly echo in my ears: “Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ!” The Pope was addressing the mighty, the powerful of this world, who feared that Christ might take away something of their power if they were to let him in, if they were to allow the faith to be free. Yes, he would certainly have taken something away from them: the dominion of corruption, the manipulation of law and the freedom to do as they pleased. But he would not have taken away anything that pertains to human freedom or dignity, or to the building of a just society. The Pope was also speaking to everyone, especially the young. Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us? Are we not perhaps afraid to give up something significant, something unique, something that makes life so beautiful? Do we not then risk ending up diminished and deprived of our freedom? And once again the Pope said: No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation. And so, today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life. Amen.

^ "Mass for the Inauguration of the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI – Homily of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI". Vatican.va. 24 April 2005. Retrieved 2 February 2010. WebCitation archive