Statue of Our Lady of Fatima and (thriving) Benedict XVI sighting

As you know the statue of Our Lady of Fatima came to Rome and returned to Fatima.  I was in Rome the last time she arrived.  Alas, because I am with a pilgrimage I just missed her this time.

However, it seems Benedict XVI had the opportunity to pay his respects.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=posrESkEAp0&feature=player_embedded

In watching this, I am with the (irascible) Damian Thompson who put it well:

 I know there aren’t two popes, but to see Benedict up close (and apparently thriving) is disorientating as well as delightful, don’t you think?

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19 Comments

  1. DisturbedMary says:

    Blessed Mother and Papa Benedict. My two most favorite people!!

  2. TNCath says:

    It is good to see Pope Benedict looking so much better. While I suppose being relieved of the burdens of his office has made a positive difference in his health, I still miss his hand guiding the barque of Peter. I also wonder if it isn’t so much Benedict presence that is “disorienting” as it is the current state of the Church.

  3. SKAY says:

    “Blessed Mother and Papa Benedict. My two most favorite people!!”

    Mine too, D Mary.

  4. Joan M says:

    It is a joy to see Papa Benedict looking so well.

  5. JohnE says:

    He looks good. I think it must be the “call in sick” effect. Often times when I’ve called in to work to stay I’m staying home, I usually start feeling better. Not being Pope must take off an enormous amount of stress.

  6. iPadre says:

    Agreed! I’m happy Papa Bento is so well, but I thought he was on his way out a few months ago.

  7. God bless and protect Papa Benedict XVI.

  8. Lin says:

    “Blessed Mother and Papa Benedict. My two most favorite people!!”

    Mine too, DisturbedMary and SKAY!

  9. Maria says:

    “Blessed Mother and Papa Benedict. My two most favorite people!!”

    Mine too, Lin, DisturbedMary and SKAY!

  10. Cascade_Catholic says:

    Very happy to hear Papa Benedict is doing well!

  11. Thomas S says:

    And he’s not still Pope why?

  12. MikeM says:

    So glad to see him looking good. It’s nice being granted Benedict sightings from time to time.

  13. Minnesotan from Florida says:

    Thomas S,

    Benedict XVI is not still Pope because he resigned and according to procedures the resignation became effective and a new Pope was elected and entered office. Others may be able to help you and me both, and probably others, in the canonical formalities of what I have lumped and covered over as “procedures.” Or do you mean something else by your question?

  14. Chris Garton-Zavesky says:

    Pope Pius IX was deemed a “liberal” and a “reformer” when he was elected, but this — let it be remembered — is the pope who called Vatican 1 and used a solemn declaration to issue the teaching about the Immaculate Conception.

    May we pray for Pope Francis to experience the “reality check” which the saintly pope experienced in 1848?

  15. Thomas S says:

    Minnesotan,

    I am aware of the abdication and conclave. My point was directed more towards the rationale FOR the abdication when he seems well enough in the videos we’ve seen of him since. This is not a man on his deathbed or overcome by loss of mental faculties.

  16. Jon says:

    Thomas S,

    Indeed. He looks to have gained 12 pounds and aged backward 5 years.

    I wonder – seriously – does “duress” of illness, in other words, if one doesn’t truly want to resign, but resigns because one is under the impression that the illness is mortal when it is not, and would not have resigned if recovery was anticipated, constitute duress in this situation? Can it?

    A question for Dr. Peters.

  17. celpar says:

    I don’t think Benedict ever suggested he was retiring because he was ill: he cited ‘extreme age’ as the reason he felt he could no longer carry out his ministry in the manner necessary for the good of the Church. Prolonged rest and relief from the heavy burden he had to bear as Pope (hostility from fellow-Catholics being not the least of his problems) may well have halted his decline – but he’s still barely recognisable as the man I saw in England three years ago.

    Let’s hope he has many more years left in which to pray for us as he promised he would.

  18. rbbadger says:

    I still miss him as Pope. He was and will always be one of my favourites.

  19. Nancy D. says:

    Since it is true that prior to being elected pope, Jorge Bergoglio, supported same-sex sexual unions and thus same-sex sexual acts as long as these unions were “private” did not include children, and were not called marriage, and it is true that one cannot condone and affirm same-sex sexual acts and be in communion with Christ and His One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, then because the election of Jorge Bergoglio is not valid, does this mean our Holy Father, Benedict, is still, in essence, our Pope?

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