Page 3, 29th April 2005

29th April 2005

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Page 3, 29th April 2005 — Pope Benedict’s brief, but significant first encounter with the world’s press
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Pope Benedict’s brief, but significant first encounter with the world’s press

Meeting with journalists
BY PETER JENNINGS
THE CATHOLIC Church and in particular the Vatican has captured the attention of the world’s media since the health of Pope John Paul II deteriorated on March 31. His death on April 2 and his Funeral Mass in St Peter’s Square on Friday April 8 received unprecedented media coverage.
This contribution by so many different media outlets – television, radio and newspapers – was recognised by Pope Benedict XVI in his address to members of the media accredited by the Holy See, during the first audience of his papacy, held in the Paul VI Hall on Saturday, April 23, the day before his inaugural Mass.
The members of the media stood and applauded Pope Benedict as he entered the Audience Hall from a side door as the clock struck 11.00am.
Archbishop John Foley, the longtime head of the Vatican department for social communication, greeted the 264th Successor of St Peter on behalf of the assembled media, together with staff of the Vatican Press Office and their families and several thousand tourists who had also been allowed into the Hall.
Pope Benedict XVI spoke to the journalists, photographers and cameramen in Italian, English, French and German. In English he said: “Thanks to all of you, these historically important ecclesial events have had worldwide coverage. I know how hard you have worked, far away from your homes and families, for long hours and in sometimes difficult conditions. I am aware of the skill and dedication with which you have accomplished your demanding task.” The Pope continued: “In my own name, and especially on behalf of Catholics living far from Rome, who were able to participate in these stirring moments for our faith as they were taking place, I thank you for all you have done.
“The possibilities opened up for us by modern means of social communication are indeed marvellous and extraordinary!” Pope Benedict XVI added: “The Second Vatican Council spoke of the great potential of the media. In fact, the Council Fathers devoted their first document to this theme, and said that the media, ‘by their nature, are capable of reaching and influencing not only individuals, but whole masses of people, indeed the whole of humanity.
“Ever since December 4, 1963, when the Decree Inter Mirifica was promulgated, humanity has been witnessing an extraordinary media revolution, affecting every aspect of human life.” Pope Benedict XVI gave his blessing and after greeting the cardinal and bishops present, including Archbishop Vincent Nichols, he waved and was gone.
The audience had lasted only about 16 minutes from beginning to end and there was a sense of disappointment that Pope Benedict had not come down from his gold and white papal chair to greet some of the assembled media.
It is clear that Pope Benedict, who celebrated his 78th birthday on Saturday April 16, two days before the start of the conclave that was to elect him as Pope, is conserving his energy.
Pope John XXIII was 77 when he was elected in 1958 and the media at the time described him as “an old man” who was unlikely to do much during his papacy. He surprised the world and initiated the Second Vatican Council.
It has not gone unnoticed in the Vatican that some sections of the British media, in particular the tabloid press, has been extremely negative in its reporting about the election of Cardinal Ratzinger as the new pope.
Within a short time of the announcement “Habemus Papam” on Tuesday, April 19, I encountered a marked hostility towards the “archconservative” Pope Benedict, as he was described by various people who interviewed me for television, radio and newspapers in Britain.
Later that evening in an interview with Press Association I said: “Already it has been very irritating to hear Pope Benedict described as ultraconservative, he is not. He will simply follow the doctrines of the Catholic Church.” A former priest friend of mine left a message on my mobile telephone saying goodbye because he was planning to leave the planet.
In St Peter’s Square, following the audience with Pope Benedict, a wellknown Catholic journalist asked Archbishop Vincent Nichols what “words of comfort” he had for Catholics in the Archdiocese of Birmingham.
As with Blessed John XXIII, the Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI is likely to be full of surprises for the Catholic Church and media critics.




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