AmericanPapist Comments
I was at an audience a few weeks back and, from a few feet away, watched the Holy Father "work the crowd", so to speak. I just kept thinking over and over to myself as I watched him take people by the hand or cradle the faces of children and young people in his hands: "What a FATHER!" Strength and gentleness in one incredible heart.
He was supposed to be the "panzer kardinal" I like this unknown side of him alot. He is definitely "Papa." We need that now I think.
A seminarian friend of mine just got back from a visit to Rome and was able to shake his hand at last Wednesday's audience... he's joking about not washing it anymore. :)
Sigh....I love our Papa Ben. I have wanted to go back to Rome since the last time I was there, but now I NEED to go back.
I've got my two front teeth but I'd trade them to meet our Holy Father!
(Sigh) That little girl is so blessed ... I wish I was 5 years old again and could get a hug from the Holy Father!
"I've got my two front teeth but I'd trade them to meet our Holy Father!" - Joye
Joye, I'd trade mine and probably the ones underneath them as well! C'mon, let's hotfoot it to the dentist! :)
"A seminarian friend of mine just got back from a visit to Rome and was able to shake his hand at last Wednesday's audience... he's joking about not washing it anymore." - The American Papist himself!
Thomas, I wouldn't blame him if he didn't! :) :) :)
Everyone, you are so right ... Papa Benedetto is a darling, and just the "Papa" we need in such difficult times. As a good friend of mine once said, this is indeed a Pope to cherish.
What a sweet picture! I LOVE MY PAPA BEN!
Makes me think of that LIFE magazine photo of the policeman stopping to help a little boy (he asked him to step back, the parade's coming through). What a sweet picture, makes me wonder what would happen if the good Papa Benedict had any young relatives. That little girl is going to have a wonderful memory of meeting a good man.
People who own Rottweilers say they can be the sweetest of dogs; they just happen to be very protective of their families. The same goes for Papa Benedict.
Hey - I was at that audience! I saw that little girl run out, it was one of the cutest things ever.
We were in the front row on the left side (the ONLY place for you to get a handshake, typically speaking, by the way - for those planning Rome visits. :), we all came to the audience as a household on our last chance for a Wednesday audience (everyone else left Rome today - I am still Roamin' though!) and YES - we all got handshakes too!
Anyway - the girl was adorable. Papa had just pulled the car around the corner to head up the lane towards the belltower Swiss Guard entrance (that's how he comes in and out of the square) where the handicapped people were lined up for him to greet. Suddenly, this little pink blur runs out between Swiss Guards and after the Popemobile!! The guards kind of try to stop her, and do catch her, but then - they stop the car, Papa gets out and comes back to her! They were instantly mobbed by photographers etc, so I didn't see what happened very well, but I betcha he just hugged the heck out of her!
For the record, I have been here all year - didn't know that he only shook hands after the audience and on the left side... so I hadn't gotten "the handshake" yet. When he came by he used both hands to grab as many hands as possible - I got it twice, with both hands!! I can still feel that papal ring (I WANTED to kiss it so bad, but he was in a moving vehicle... don't want to be pulling the Pope off his wheels now!)
I also thought about not washing my hands. But, I am in grimy Rome and forced to take public transportation in hot weather - so that didn't last long. :)
Gotta get back to studying, my toughest final (ever.) is on Saturday morning 8:50 am Rome time - perhaps you could pray for me on Friday night USA time?
God bless!
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