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Apostolic Journey to Cologne - Thursday 18 August 2005

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Apostolic Journey to Poland - May 25-28 2006


Polish TV interviews Georg Ratzinger



This short article was kindly sent to me by a friend.

Ahead of Pope Benedict?s visit to Poland, a Polish television crew has this month visited his brother Georg. The first planned meeting with two Polish journalists, Hubert Kubacki and Tomasz Machala and their cameraman, had to be postponed because Georg was in hospital. Now, says the 82 year old, everything is fine and he feels well.

The interview takes place in a room with photographs of the Pope and holy pictures in the background. The journalists want to know which place the Pope most counts as home, as he has lived in so many places. Georg responds,

?My brother?s life story has been repeated so often, are there still people who do not know it??

Nevertheless, he patiently recounts the main events again, from his birth in Marktl, the years in Tittmoning, Aschau, and Traunstein; his time as a seminarian, student, professor, Archbishop of Munich and Cardinal.

The journalists ask, "Where was the most important place during his childhood?"

Georg Ratzinger answers "Traunstein. We were there longest."

The journalists had been to Marktl the previous day and saw the "Pope industry" there - including Pope Beer and Pope Cake. They saw similarities between Marktl and the small town of Wadowice, where Pope John Paul II was born. Georg Ratzinger says only that the Pope has few memories of Marktl as he left when he was two years old.

Asked if Benedict has remained Bavarian, Georg Ratzinger responds that although both of them have experienced and appreciate other countries they both feel Bavarian at heart.

The journalists asked why Pope Benedict had chosen Poland as his second journey outside Italy.

George Ratzinger answered that it was an obvious choice as Poland was the homeland of Pope John Paul II and feels a special affinity for the office of Pope.

Asked if he has ever been to Poland Monsignor Ratzinger said that he had visited the country twice with the Regensburger Domspatzen, the last time in 1994.

In relation to the visit to Auschwitz Georg Ratzinger said that his brother would address the terrible fate of prisoners in Auschwitz at the hands of the Nazis.

The programme will be shown on Polish television before the Pope's visit.

Apostolic Journey to Poland - Friday 26 2006

Mass in Pilsudski Square, Warsaw


AP

Together with you I wish to sing a hymn of praise to divine Providence, which enables me to be here as a pilgrim. Twenty-seven years ago, my beloved predecessor Pope John Paul II began his homily in Warsaw with these words. I make them my own, and I thank the Lord who has enabled me to come here today to this historic Square.

How can we not thank God today for all that was accomplished in your native land and in the whole world during the Pontificate of John Paul II? Before our eyes, changes occurred in entire political, economic and social systems. People in various countries regained their freedom and their sense of dignity?

Twenty-seven years ago, in this place, Pope John Paul II said: Poland has become nowadays the land of a particularly responsible witness? (Warsaw, 2 June 1979). I ask you now, cultivate this rich heritage of faith transmitted to you by earlier generations, the heritage of the thought and the service of that great Pole who was Pope John Paul II. Stand firm in your faith, hand it down to your children, bear witness to the grace which you have experienced so abundantly through the Holy Spirit in the course of your history.

Meeting with Religious at the shrine of Jasna Gora


AP

God is hidden in mystery; to claim to understand him would mean to want to confine him within our thinking and knowing and consequently to lose him irremediably. With faith, however, we can open up a way through concepts, even theological concepts, and can ?touch? the living God. And God, once touched, immediately gives us his power. When we abandon ourselves to the living God, when in humility of mind we have recourse to him, a kind of hidden stream of divine life pervades us?

Faith has a place, not only in our state of soul and religious experiences, but above all in thought and action, in everyday work, in the struggle against ourselves, in community life and in the apostolate, because it ensures that our life is pervaded by the power of God himself. Faith can always bring us back to God even when our sin leads us astray.

Krakow - address from the window of the Archbishop's Palace



Following the practice which arose during Pope John Paul II?s visits to Krakyou have gathered in front of the Archbishop?s residence to greet the Pope. Thank you for being here and for your warm welcome.

I know that on the second of every month, at the hour of my beloved Predecessor?s death, you come together here to commemorate him and to pray for his elevation to the honours of the altars. This prayer supports those working on his Cause, and enriches your hearts with every grace. During his last visit to Poland, John Paul II said to you with regard to the passing of time: ?We cannot remedy it. There is only one remedy. It is the Lord Jesus. ?I am the resurrection and the life? means ? notwithstanding old age, notwithstanding death ? youthfulness is found in God. This is my wish for you: for all the young of Krakof Poland, and of the world? (17 August 2002). This was his faith, his firm conviction, his witness. And today, despite death, he "youthful in God" is among us. He invites us to reinvigorate the grace of faith, to be renewed in the Spirit and to ?put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God, in the uprightness and holiness of the truth? (Eph 4:24).

Apostolic Journey to Poland - Sunday 28 2006

Mass in Krakow, Blonie Park


Reuters

Brothers and Sisters, today in Blonie Park in Krake hear once again this question from the Acts of the Apostles. This time it is directed to all of us: "Why do you stand looking up to heaven?" The answer to this question involves the fundamental truth about the life and destiny of every man and woman.

The question has to do with our attitude to two basic realities which shape every human life: earth and heaven. First, the earth: "Why do you stand?" - Why are you here on earth? Our answer is that we are here on earth because our Maker has put us here as the crowning work of his creation?.

At the beginning of the second year of my Pontificate, I have felt a deep need to visit Poland and Kraks a pilgrim in the footsteps of my predecessor. I wanted to breathe the air of his homeland. I wanted to see the land where he was born, where he grew up and undertook his tireless service to Christ and the universal Church. I wanted especially to meet the living men and women of his country, to experience your faith, which gave him life and strength, and to know that you continue firm in that faith. Here I wish to ask God to preserve that legacy of faith, hope and charity which John Paul II gave to the world, and to you in particular.

Pope Benedict XVI in Auschwitz-Birkenau


Reuters

To speak in this place of horror, in this place where unprecedented mass crimes were committed against God and man, is almost impossible - and it is particularly difficult and troubling for a Christian, for a Pope from Germany. In a place like this, words fail; in the end, there can only be a dread silence - a silence which is itself a heartfelt cry to God: Why, Lord, did you remain silent? How could you tolerate all this? In silence, then, we bow our heads before the endless line of those who suffered and were put to death here; yet our silence becomes in turn a plea for forgiveness and reconciliation, a plea to the living God never to let this happen again.

Pope John Paul II came here as a son of the Polish people. I come here today as a son of the German people. For this very reason, I can and must echo his words: I could not fail to come here. I had to come. It is a duty before the truth and the just due of all who suffered here, a duty before God, for me to come here as the successor of Pope John Paul II and as a son of the German people - a son of that people over which a ring of criminals rose to power by false promises of future greatness and the recovery of the nation?s honour, prominence and prosperity, but also through terror and intimidation, with the result that our people was used and abused as an instrument of their thirst for destruction and power. Yes, I could not fail to come here?.

We cannot peer into God's mysterious plan - we see only piecemeal, and we would be wrong to set ourselves up as judges of God and history. Then we would not be defending man, but only contributing to his downfall. No - when all is said and done, we must continue to cry out humbly yet insistently to God: Rouse yourself! Do not forget mankind, your creature! And our cry to God must also be a cry that pierces our very heart, a cry that awakens within us God?s hidden presence - so that his power, the power he has planted in our hearts, will not be buried or choked within us by the mire of selfishness, pusillanimity, indifference or opportunism.

Sunday May 28th 2006 - Farewell to Poland


AP

The time has come for me to say farewell to Poland. For four days I have passed through your country like a pilgrim, visiting places of particular importance for your historical and spiritual identity.

Dear Polish people! I want to confide in you that this pilgrimage, during which I have visited places particularly dear to the great John Paul II, has brought me even closer to you, his compatriots. I thank you for the prayer with which you have surrounded me from the moment of my election. During my meetings with you, at audiences in the Vatican, I have often felt a bond of intense prayer and spontaneous sympathy. I would like you to continue to remember me in your prayers, asking the Lord to increase my strength in the service of the universal Church.


AP

This is a sweet picture, by AP photographer Czarek Sokolowski, of Papa having a well deserved drink on the plane before takeoff.

Safely Home in Rome


Reuters

On his arrival at Rome's Ciampino airport the Pope was met by Italian defence minister Arturo Parisi. He then travelled by helicopter back to Vatican City.

Bravissimo Papa! Thank you. You were wonderful.

Apostolic Journey to Valencia - Saturday 8 July 2006


AP

EITB - Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Spain on Saturday to attend a gathering on family values, launching a whirlwind visit to a country where church influence has waned and the government has angered the Vatican by instituting liberal reforms such as gay marriage.


Reuters

Spain's King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero greeted the pope as he arrived from Rome as a military band played the national anthems of the Vatican and Spain. Also on hand were hundreds of faithful wearing caps with the white and yellow colors of the Vatican to welcome the pontiff for his 26-hour visit.



The crowd cheered as the pope stepped off the aircraft in a flowing white robe and made his way down a red carpet. But despite the festive atmosphere, the visit is being overshadowed by a subway derailment on Monday that claimed 42 lives.

The pope wasted no time in defending the Vatican's vision of marriage as a union of man and woman. In arrival remarks he said "the family is a unique institution in God's plan, and the church cannot fail to proclaim and promote its fundamental importance.''

He addressed the issue of gay marriage before he even got off the plane. Asked about the role of gay marriage of society, the pope told reporters: "According to human nature it is man and woman who are made for each other and to give humanity a future.''


Reuters


Arrival Speech
With great joy I come today to Valencia, to the noble and much-loved land of Spain, which has given me so many grateful memories from my earlier visits for Congresses and meetings.

I cordially greet all of you, those here present and all those following this ceremony through the communications media.

I am grateful to His Majesty King Juan Carlos for his presence, together with the Queen, and in particular I thank him for his words of welcome in the name of the Spanish people.

I express my respectful appreciation to the President of the Government and to the other national, autonomous-regional and municipal Authorities. I am grateful for their cooperation in the organization of this Fifth World Meeting.

I greet with affection the Archbishop of Valencia, Monsignor AgustGarcGasco, his Auxiliary Bishops, and the whole "levantine" Archdiocese for their warm welcome to this World Meeting. I know that in these days you are grieving with the families mourning their dear ones who were victims of a tragic accident, and are also close to the injured.

My affectionate greeting also goes to the President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Cardinal Alfonso L Trujillo, and to the other Cardinals, the President and members of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, the priests, the consecrated persons and all the lay faithful.


Reuters

My reason for this long-awaited visit is to take part in the Fifth World Meeting of Families, whose theme is "The Transmission of Faith in the Family". I wish to set forth the central role, for the Church and for society, proper to the family based on marriage. The family is a unique institution in God?s plan, and the Church cannot fail to proclaim and promote its fundamental importance, so that it can live out its vocation with a constant sense of responsibility and joy.

My venerable predecessor, a great friend of Spain, the beloved John Paul II, convoked this Meeting. Prompted by the same pastoral solicitude, tomorrow I will have the privilege of concluding it with the celebration of Holy Mass in the City of Arts and Sciences.

In union with all taking part, I will implore from the Lord, through the intercession of our Most Holy Mother and the Apostle Saint James, plentiful graces for the families of Spain and of the whole world.

May the Lord abundantly bless all of you and your beloved families!


Shortly after arriving, the pope was to ride into town in his bulletproof "pope mobile" to pray at the station where Spain's worst-ever subway accident occurred. The purpose of the papal trip, Benedict's third abroad, is to wrap up a nine-day congress organized by the Vatican on family values. His appearance is expected to attract up to 1.5 million people between pilgrims and residents of Valencia.

Crowds awaited the pope at the ill-fated Jesus subway station in the city center. "I can't wait to see him. It will be divine," said a 53-year-old housewife named Maricarmen. She refused to give her last name. She said the atmosphere surrounding the visit had become somber since the derailment Monday. "But I think it is great that he has decided to stop at the station," she said.

As the papal delegation flew to Valencia, the Vatican seemed irritated that Zapatero, a Socialist, is not attending a papal Mass for scheduled for Sunday. "The Holy See doesn't invite leaders to Mass,'' said papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Vals. But he noted that such left-wing stalwarts as Fidel Castro of Cuba and former Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega have
attended papal masses.

Apostolic Journey to Bavaria 9-14 September 2006



Schedule

Saturday, Sept. 9 (Rome, Munich)

1:45 p.m. (7:45 a.m.), Departure from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport.

3:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m.), Arrival at Franz Josef Strauss International Airport in Munich. Welcoming ceremony. Speech by the pope.

4:15 p.m. (10:15 a.m.), Transfer in car to the Georgianum Seminary in Munich.

5 p.m. (11 a.m.), Arrival at the Georgianum Seminary. Change to popemobile.

5:10 p.m. (11:10 a.m.), Transfer in popemobile from Georgianum Seminary to Marienplatz (Mary's Square) in central Munich.

5:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m.), Prayer at the Mariensaule (Mary's column) at Marienplatz. Prayer and greeting by the pope.

6:15 p.m. (12:15 p.m.), Transfer in popemobile from Marienplatz to the Munich Residenz palace.

6:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m.), Courtesy visit to German President Horst Koehler in the Residenz palace.

7:15 p.m. (1:15 p.m.), Meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Residenz palace.

7:45 p.m. (1:45 p.m.), Meeting with Minister-President Edmund Stoiber of Bavaria in the Residenz palace.

8:15 p.m. (2:15 p.m.), Transfer in popemobile to archbishop's residence in Munich.

8:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m.), Arrival at archbishop's residence.

Sunday, Sept. 10 (Munich)

8:45 a.m. (2:45 a.m.), Transfer in car from archbishop's residence to the Neue Messe exhibition center in Munich.

9:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m.), Arrival at the grounds of the Neue Messe. Change to popemobile and ride through the crowd.

9:45 a.m. (3:45 a.m.), Arrival at sacristy.

10 a.m. (4 a.m.), Mass on the grounds of Neue Messe. Sermon by the pope. After Mass, recital of the Angelus and talk by the pope.

12:15 p.m. (6:15 a.m.), Return to sacristy at Neue Messe.

12:30 p.m. (6:30 a.m.), Transfer by car to archbishop's residence.

1 p.m. (7 a.m.), Arrival at archbishop's residence. Lunch with papal entourage and cardinal guests.

5:15 p.m. (11:15 a.m.), Transfer in popemobile from archbishop's residence to Munich cathedral.

5:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m.), Celebration of vespers in Munich cathedral. Sermon by the pope.

7 p.m. (1 p.m.), Transfer in popemobile from cathedral to archbishop's residence.

7:15 p.m. (1:15 p.m.), Arrival at archbishop's residence.

Monday, Sept. 11 (Munich, Altotting, Marktl am Inn, Regensburg)

7:50 a.m. (1:50 a.m.), Farewell at archbishop's residence.

8 a.m. (2 a.m.), Transfer in car to Bayern Kaserne heliport in Munich.

8:15 a.m. (2:15 a.m.), Arrival at Bayern Kaserne heliport.

8:20 a.m. (2:20 a.m.), Departure in helicopter from Munich to Altotting.

9:20 a.m. (3:20 a.m.), Arrival at heliport in Altotting.

9:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m.), Transfer in popemobile to Sanctuary of Altotting.

9:45 a.m. (3:45 a.m.), Visit to Chapel of the Miraculous Image at Sanctuary of Altotting.

10 a.m. (4 a.m.), Transfer in popemobile to sacristy at Altotting.

10:15 a.m. (4:15 a.m.), Arrival at sacristy at the parish house in Altotting.

10:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m.), Mass on the grounds of the Sanctuary of Altotting. Sermon by the pope.

12:30 p.m. (6:30 a.m.), Procession of the Eucharist, accompanied by the statue of Mary, from the grounds of the sanctuary to the new Chapel of Adoration, annexed to the parish church of Sts. Philip and James in Altotting.

12:45 p.m. (6:45 a.m.), Inauguration of the Chapel of Adoration.

1:15 p.m. (7:15 a.m.), Transfer by foot to the convent of St. Mary Magdalene in Altotting.

1:30 p.m. (7:30 a.m.), Arrival at the Convent of St. Mary Magdalene.

4:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m.), Transfer in popemobile from Convent of St. Mary Magdalene to the Basilica of St. Ann in Altotting.

5 p.m. (11 a.m.), Marian vespers with religious and seminarians of Bavaria in Basilica of St. Ann.

6:15 p.m. (12:15 p.m.), Transfer in car from Basilica of St. Ann to Marktl am Inn.

6:45 p.m. (12:45 p.m.), Arrival at Marktl am Inn. Visit to the Church of St. Oswald.

7 p.m. (1 p.m.), Transfer in popemobile from Church of St. Oswald to heliport of Marktl am Inn.

7:15 p.m. (1:15 p.m.), Arrival at heliport.

7:20 p.m. (1:20 p.m.), Departure by helicopter from Marktl am Inn to Regensburg.

8:20 p.m. (2:20 p.m.), Arrival at Nibelungenkaserne heliport in Regensburg.

8:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m.), Transfer in popemobile from heliport to St. Wolfgang Major Seminary in Regensburg.

8:45 p.m. (2:45 p.m.), Arrival at St. Wolfgang Seminary.

Tuesday, Sept. 12 (Regensburg)

9:15 a.m. (3:15 a.m.), Transfer in car from St. Wolfgang Seminary to Islinger Field in Regensburg.

9:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m.), Arrival on grounds of Islinger Field. Change to popemobile and ride through the crowd.

9:45 a.m. (3:45 a.m.), Arrival at sacristy behind altar at Islinger Field.

10 a.m. (4 a.m.) Mass on grounds of Islinger Field. Sermon by the pope.

12:15 p.m. (6:15 a.m.), Return to sacristy.

12:30 p.m. (6:30 a.m.), Transfer in car from Islinger Field to St. Wolfgang Seminary.

12:45 p.m. (6:45 a.m.), Arrival at St. Wolfgang Seminary. Lunch with papal entourage.

4:45 p.m. (10:45 a.m.), Transfer in popemobile from St. Wolfgang Seminary to University of Regensburg.

5 p.m. (11 a.m.), Meeting with representatives of science in Great Hall of University of Regensburg. Speech by the pope.

6 p.m. (Noon), Transfer in popemobile from university to Regensburg Cathedral of St. Peter.

6:15 p.m. (12:15 p.m.), Arrival at cathedral. Procession from Church of St. Ulrich (next door) to cathedral.

6:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m.), Ecumenical celebration of vespers in Regensburg cathedral. Sermon by the pope.

7:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m.), Transfer in popemobile from cathedral to St. Wolfgang Seminary.

7:45 p.m. (1:45 p.m.), Arrival at seminary.

Wednesday, Sept. 13 (Private program of the pope: Regensburg, Pentling)

7:30 a.m. (1:30 a.m.), Mass, breakfast and private time in St. Wolfgang Seminary in Regensburg.

11 a.m. (5 a.m.), Blessing of the new organ in the Old Chapel. Prayer and greeting by the pope.

11:45 a.m. (5:45 a.m.), Visit to the house of Msgr. Georg Ratzinger in Regensburg. Lunch and repose.

3 p.m. (9 a.m.), Transfer in popemobile to Ziegetzdorf Cemetery.

3:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m.), Visit to Ziegetzdorf Cemetery.

4:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m.), Private time at pope's house in Pentling. Dinner.

7:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m.), Transfer in car from Pentling to St. Wolfgang Seminary in Regensburg.

8 p.m. (2 p.m.), Arrival at St. Wolfgang Seminary.

Thursday, Sept. 14 (Regensburg, Freising, Munich, Rome)

7:30 a.m. (1:30 a.m.), Private Mass in St. Wolfgang Seminary in Regensburg.

9 a.m. (3 a.m.), Farewell from St. Wolfgang Seminary.

9:15 a.m. (3:15 a.m.), Transfer in car to Nibelungenkaserne heliport in Regensburg.

9:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m.), Arrival at heliport.

9:40 a.m. (3:40 a.m.), Departure in helicopter from Regensburg to Freising.

10:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m.), Arrival at Gen. Von Stein Kaserne heliport in Freising. Transfer in popemobile to Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Corbinian in Freising.

10:40 a.m. (4:40 a.m.), Arrival at Freising cathedral.

10:45 a.m. (4:45 a.m.), Meeting with priests and permanent deacons of Bavaria in cathedral. Speech by the pope.

11:45 a.m. (5:45 a.m.), Transfer in car from Freising cathedral to Franz Josef Strauss International Airport in Munich.

12:15 p.m. (6:15 a.m.), Arrival at Franz Josef Strauss International Airport. Farewell ceremony. Speech by the pope.

12:45 p.m. (6:45 a.m.), Departure for Rome.

2:30 p.m. (8:30 a.m.), Arrival at Rome's Ciampino airport.