Bishop Paul S. Coakley

During Pope John Paul II’s first apostolic visit to the United States a non-Catholic observer enthusiastically remarked, “You’ve got a pope who really knows how to pope!”  Relatively few people would have expected Pope Benedict XVI to have a similarly profound impact when he began his first apostolic journey to the United States last week.   But judging by my own personal experience of the enthusiastic response his visit generated, I would say that Pope Benedict XVI is a man who “knows how to pope” with the best of them! 

I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD the opportunity to participate in several of the major events of the papal visit in Washington.  From the official welcome on the south lawn of the White House, to the evening prayer liturgy with the bishops at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, to the beautiful outdoor papal Mass at Nationals Stadium, Pope Benedict gently, clearly and powerfully developed his message of hope.  From the beginning the people responded with an amazing outpouring of affection and attention.

At times affirming, at other times challenging, and in all things proclaiming “Christ Our Hope”, Pope Benedict came to strengthen the faith of the Church in the United States.  But he came as a man of peace and reconciliation as well.  He unexpectedly made time to reach out personally to victims of clergy sexual abuse.  He spent time with groups of disabled persons, youth and seminarians who responded enthusiastically to his warm personal attention.  He met with representatives of other faith traditions and underscored the importance of religious values and religious liberty as necessary on the path to peace.  He spoke of the importance of truth as the goal of all authentic dialogs among cultures and religious traditions.  He underscored the dignity of the person as the basis for human rights and the hope for peace and justice in our world.

THREE YEARS AGO, when Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, was elected pope, he was referred to rather cynically by some as “God’s rottweiler”.  The evidence of the past three years and this apostolic visit has finally put that unfortunate caricature to rest.  I was touched to see a child holding a sign along the pope’s parade route which said, “I love my German shepherd!”   Like so many others I could not help but be drawn to the gentle smile and peaceful countenance of this gracefully aging man of God who celebrated his eighty-first birthday among us.  Though he speaks with unmistakable authority and clarity, he has a serene presence which bears witness to the Holy Spirit who so richly dwells within him.  

I hope you enjoy the coverage of this historic papal visit in this and the preceding issues of The Register.  We have witnessed something extraordinary.  I trust that the fruits of this visit will continue to enrich the Church and our nation for a long time to come.  Let us continue to pray for our Holy Father, The Vicar of Christ, and our “German shepherd”. 

Published April 25, 2008

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