On New Year’s Eve, the Church learned of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The death of a pope is like a death in the family. As Catholics, we are excited when a new pope is elected, but there is a feeling of loss when a pope dies. Whether the pope is retired or not makes no difference.
Pope Benedict was elected pope in 2005 upon the death of St. John Paul II. Even as a young man, Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict) had been recognized as possessing a brilliant mind. He had a significant role at the Second Vatican Council as a theological advisor. It was apparent that he had a quick and insightful mind and was able to synthesize various points of view into a coherent whole. He went on to serve the people of the Church as priest, bishop and pope.
It is difficult to confidently analyze the impact of a person immediately after their death. A certain amount of time must pass before such assessment can be attempted. However, his resignation as pope in 2013 will reverberate into the future of the Church. Popes had resigned before, but none in the past 500 years. Although it was theoretically possible for a pope to resign, common wisdom did not consider resignation a realistic option for a pope. Pope Benedict broke that presumption. With the improvement in medical technology, people are generally living longer, popes included. Pope Benedict concluded that he did not have the ability to continue to shepherd the Church with all the demands of the papacy. Resignation will be a viable option for popes going forward if they conclude they did not have the energy to continue as pope.
His excellent writings are another obvious contribution which Pope Benedict has given to the Church, especially his books. I remember reading some of his books: Jesus of Nazareth, the Fathers, Prayer and others. His writings reflected his excellent intellect. His books were not books which could be read at length during a single reading, at least not for me. His writings were so rich that I could only read a few pages and then would need to put the book down and try to digest what I had just read. His books had that much insight and theological depth.
At the same time, his books were not merely theological treatises. They were clearly written by a man of faith. For him, theology was not only intellectual speculation, instead it was a way to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Indeed, he taught that life had no meaning unless the individual had a relationship with God.
Pope Benedict was a reserved man. He had been a university professor before being selected Archbishop of Munich. He did not have a gregarious and outgoing nature. Yet he was a man of both deep faith and a gentle personality. To some he was austere and stern but he did not come across that way in my few encounters with him. Instead, he showed a gentle and caring spirit.
Allow me to tell one story on myself. In 2008 Pope Benedict appointed me to serve as Archbishop of Mobile, for which I remain grateful. When a bishop is appointed an archbishop, each new archbishop in the world travels to Rome on the next June 29, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. There in St. Peter Basilica each new archbishop receives a woolen cloth (a pallium) which the archbishop wears around his shoulders during Masses. It is a sign of unity with the pope. On June 29, 2008 I celebrated Mass with Pope Benedict and 31 other new archbishops from around the world. Then each one of us went forward, knelt before the pope, who then placed the pallium. No one told me that this was to be done in silence. When it was my turn to approach the pope, I knelt before him and began to speak to him. I am from the South, we talk to people and so I spoke with the Holy Father.
I have never before or since seen Pope Benedict smile during Mass, but he did at that moment. He smiled, grabbed my arms, and began to speak with me. People I spoke with later who had watched the Mass could not believe it. They expected Pope Benedict to say “shhh” to me with a scowl. That was the impression some had of him. Instead, he smiled and talked. What a courteous, compassionate and human response.
We have lost a good man: a caring heart, a brilliant mind, and faith filled soul. Let us pray that the relationship with the Lord, which he preached and so personally treasured, may now shine for all eternity as we entrust Benedict to the love and mercy of God.