  |
||||||
|
Rome, April 22 Grace of the Office In the bridge days between Tuesday's papal election and Sunday's papal installation, Rome has been talking about the “grace of the office.” The phrase falls as easily from shopkeeper's lips as it does from a cardinal's. The idea is that freed from being one Roman Curia head among many (similar to a member of the Cabinet) for elevation to the papacy brings a freedom and a responsibility to, as the jingle goes, be all that you can be. Those having the hardest time believing Cardinal Ratzinger was the choice of the cardinals seem to use the phrase the most. On top of it is the comment that the Holy Spirit doesn't always choose the easiest path. Scattered through the city now is a smattering of pictures with the Diocese of Rome's congratulations to its new bishop. Pope Benedict XVI looks a bit overdressed in the poster size photograph with arms raised and multi layers of clothes showing: black sleeves, topped by two sets of white sleeves, a red cape and an ornate stole. The picture is from his first balcony appearance. While the pope looks happy, the bishop who is standing beside him, an aide to the former pope, looks fairly grim. Italian news reports say Ratzinger may have won by 100 or more votes and that his closest contender was Cardinal Carlo Martini who had 40 votes on the first ballot. It appears the moderates were unable to put forward another candidate to stop Ratzinger's vote climb, the reports say. Upwards of a half million people are expected in St. Peter's Square tomorrow for the installation Mass. Germans are busy booking all types of transportation to get to Rome for Sunday's installation and Monday's reception by the Pope for his countrymen. Monday, Benedict XVI plans a Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. He's staying at the Saint Martha Guesthouse while the papal apartments are being repainted. The end of the city's bus route 64 is becoming famous. That's where Cardinal Ratzinger's former apartment is located. He's been there twice in the past two days to pick up personal belongings. Interestingly, he goes himself - that doesn't mean he's alone; he has had aides and a security contingent in tow. I made the walk last night from the end of the bus route to the Vatican, which was his daily routine, say observers. It's mostly downhill, passing the back of St. Peter's Basilica on the left with the dome jutting upwards while on the right is a lively display of shops. At the bottom of the hill, a left turn leads to the Office of the Congregation of the Doctrine on the Faith and St. Peter's Square. |
||
| |