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Newsflash Archives > Welcome Benedict
Welcome, Benedict!
This is the text of the editorial for the April 2008 "Special Issue" of Inside the Vatican previewing the Pope's upcoming April 15-20 trip to America
- by Robert Moynihan
Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States on April 15 has generated great excitement among Americans from the moment it was first announced. Interest in the trip now matches or in some respects surpasses the astonishingly successful visits of John Paul II.
 Two months ago, Mark Ackerman, director of the archdiocese of New York’s efforts to coordinate six papal appearances in that city, reported that there had already been 180,000 requests for the 90,000 available seats for the papal Mass at Yankee Stadium. His predicament, he said, was "heartbreaking" because of the sorrowful reactions of people when they are told there are no more seats available. The archdiocese of Washington faces similar overwhelming demands for Mass tickets.
Some commentators attribute this excitement solely to the fact that Benedict’s time in the US is relatively brief and will be restricted to two cities. They say the trip’s brevity and the pontiff’s age - he will soon be 81 years old - has created the sense of this visit being a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity. It is quite likely that Pope will not be returning anytime soon.
But there is more to it. Behind the enthusiasm for Benedict is a suffering Church and a suffering nation seeking its way forward. It is not so much curiosity that is attracting Americans to Benedict; it is the doubt and pain present among the people, coupled with admiration for this Good Shepherd.
The people are demonstrating the accuracy of a prediction made 70 years ago by British historian Christopher Dawson. He argued that the Roman papacy, because of its unique origin and history, was becoming ever more essential to the moral unity and advancement of mankind. Dawson came to his prediction based on the work and writings of 20th century Popes. He did not know the work of John Paul II or Benedict, which has further increased the Vatican’s moral stature worldwide.
How do those most anxious to see Benedict explain their reasons? They have a sense of desperation about finding relief for the confusion and pain in the country as a whole. They long to be in the presence of the Pope as people have longed to meet outstanding figures and saints in every period of history. They trust that he will say something that will help them face the future with real hope. What is the confusion and pain they feel? I think it is this: that America is, to the dismay of all of us, no longer the "land of the free and the home of the brave" but a land of war against the unborn, of egregious violence in the media and in the streets, of political corruption, of the plight of immigrants, and of the increasing awareness of the heavy cost of a foreign war the nation entered into at the urging of special interest groups whose primary concern was not the general welfare of the nation as a whole.
No one expects Benedict to deal with all these woes. What people long for, however, is a sense of direction, a path that individuals, the Church, and the country might take out of this dark valley. In a sense Joseph Ratzinger has been describing such a path all his life -- the way individuals and societies could move from the City of Man to the City of God. Central to his thinking is for individuals to turn to Jesus. As Pope he has repeatedly urged audiences to pray, meditate, study and lead lives of charity and selflessness -- always in personal conversation with Jesus. He describes this as the greatest adventure, the most joyous and meaningful life that can be lived.
Benedict’s visit will be intensely evangelical. Benedict will say often and insistently -- to President Bush, to bishops and Catholic educators, to audiences in stadiums, to interreligious groups, to young people, and to all of us by his silent prayer at Ground Zero -- that God is calling all of us, individually and as a nation, to build a civilization of love, of true freedom and justice. Such rebuilding can only be based on a religious foundation of faith, hope and love.
I once had a conversation with the Holy Father, long before he was Pope, and asked him how he intended to evangelize in these difficult times for the faith, our times, and he said: "What seems to be important for me is that the faith does not remain some set of positivistic commands, but that it is seen as something to be understood, lived, acquired, and visible in everyday life.
"Yes, that is something worth believing in: a faith that is a way to be lived, a faith that helps one find answers to the troubling questions of life."
WIN A FREE TRIP TO ROME AND ASSISI!
As you know, we are celebrating our 15th Anniversary Year. Our conference and our pilgrimage are now scheduled. I hope you will join me for these events and for our 15th anniversary dinners in Washington and Rome.
I would like to give all subscribers a chance to join us in Rome on our inaugural pilgrimage. How? By inviting you to participate in a contest to win a trip for two on this pilgrimage. (Complete details will be in the next issue. This is just a preview. So start compiling your list of prospective new subscribers right now!) For every five new subscriptions you find for us, your name will be entered once into a drawing. (If you find 100 subscribers, your name will be entered 20 times...) I will draw the name of the winner from these entries. The winner and his or her guest will be able to join our pilgrimage and attend the 15th anniversary dinner in Rome at no cost.
The drawing will be on August 15, 2008. You will need your subscription label as your subscriber ID number, so keep this handy. I look forward to these exciting events and to meeting many of you, our loyal subscribers, who have supported Inside the Vatican for so many years.
Without you, we would have not made it these 15 years. This is my way of saying "thank you"! - The Editor
Special Edition: Pope Benedict XVI's Upcoming Trip to America
Get ready for Pope Benedict's arrival in America!
Inside the Vatican is pleased to announce that we have published a "Special Issue" of 116 pages for April 2008. The "Special Issue" previews Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming April 15-20 trip to America.
This "Special Issue" contains a listing of all the Pope's stops during the trip, plus in-depth articles about what he may say and do during the trip. This issue, one of the largest editions we have ever published, is likely to become a keepsake edition or collector's item. There is no better way to prepare for the Pope's visit than to read this splendid "Special Issue" of Inside the Vatican. If you order a copy today at the price of $10, we will rush you a copy immediately. To order your copy of the April Special Issue, call our toll-free line at 1-800-789-9494 or click here to order and to learn more.
Special Offer for New Subscribers Only! If you would like to subscribe to Inside the Vatican, you will receive the April "Special Issue" FREE! Click here for this special offer!
Talks by Dr. Robert Moynihan on CD!
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Inside The Vatican (ISSN 1068-8579) is a Catholic news magazine, published monthly except July
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