Pope John Paul II Is Remembered

The anniversary of Pope John Paul II's death was remembered last night at the Vatican by Pope Benedict XVI and tens of thousands of people who gathered in and around St. Peter's Square during a candlelight vigil. Today, Benedict led a commemorative mass in John Paul's memory, and spoke of his predecessor's strong faith: "It was a solid, strong and authentic faith, free from fear and compromise, which infected the hearts of many people, also thanks to his numerous pilgrimages around the world, and especially thanks to that last 'journey', which was his agony and his death." Pope John Paul II died of an irreversible cardiovascular collapse and septic shock at 9:37pm on April 2, 2005. He was 84.

For The Pope Blog's archive of Pope John Paul II's final days, please see our March 2005 and April 2005 archives.

Pope's Encyclical Sends a 'Lovely' Message

The fact that the Pope's first encyclical was a message of love perhaps softened his image as a stern enforcer in his former capacity of Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. We at the Pope Blog feel that this document is a truer representation of the Pope's personality and heart than any 'image' the mainstream media projects, anyway.

The Guardian reports:

The 78-year-old pontiff devoted much of the first half of his treatise to the relationship between Eros - erotic love - and Agape, the Greek word for unconditional and selfless love...

The encyclical says both forms are interrelated: "The more the two, in their different aspects, find a proper unity in the one reality of love, the more the true nature of love in general is realised."

Read the Guardian story, or the actual encyclical.

Swiss Guard Celebrates 500 Years

Today marks the 500th anniversary of the date on which the first Swiss Guards arrived at the Vatican to protect the pope.

From the official Vatican Web site:

January 22nd, 1506, is the official date of birth of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, because on that day, towards the evening, a group of one hundred and fifty Swiss soldiers commanded by Captain Kasparvon Silenen, of Canton Uri, passed through the Porta del Popolo and entered for the first time the Vatican, where they were blessed by Pope Julius II.

From the Associated Press via CBS News:

"Thank you for your service of 500 years!" Benedict told the guards in a special blessing, to applause from tourists and the faithful also gathered for his traditional Sunday greeting.

From now through June, the Vatican will commemerate the 500th anniversary with many special events, including a re-enactment of the march from Switzerland to Rome of the first 150 Swiss mercenaries. From all of us at the Pope Blog, a very special thank you goes out to all Swiss Guardsmen for a fine 500 years of service.

Pope's First Christmas Homily Encourages Openness to Receiving God's Word

Pope Benedict XVI, in his first Christmas homily since becoming the Holy Father, delivered a homily at the Christmas vigil mass in which he reflected on the readiness of the shepherds to receive God's Word:

They were people who were watchful. This was chiefly true in a superficial way: they kept watch over their flocks by night. But it was also true in a deeper way: they were ready to receive God's word. Their life was not closed in on itself; their hearts were open. In some way, deep down, they were waiting for him.

The Pope continued with his thoughts on Jesus leaving us His peace:

Christ gives himself to us and, in doing so, gives us his peace. He gives it to us so that we can carry the light of peace within and give it to others. He gives it to us so that we can become peacemakers and builders of peace in the world.

From all of us at the Pope Blog, have a very merry Christmas!

Rome to Ban Those with 'Deep-seated Homosexual Tendencies' from Seminaries -- Tomorrow

We've all heard reports of a Vatican document which will prevent those "who are actively homosexual, have deep-seated homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called 'gay culture' " from entering the seminary. Apparently, the document will be released tomorrow. From The New York Times:

The long-awaited document, which has leaked out in sections over the last few months, was published Tuesday in Italian by an Italian Catholic Web site, AdistaOnline.it.

The document appears to allow ordination only for candidates who experienced "transitory" homosexual tendencies that were "clearly overcome" at least three years before ordination as a deacon, the last step before priesthood. It does not define "overcome."

...Vatican spokesmen refused to comment Tuesday, saying the document would be published on Nov. 29

A bigger question, perhaps, is will the directive be fully implemented? Will it be enforced?

Pope: Don't Fear Death

Today, on All Hallows Eve, Pope Benedict XVI said that the November 1 feast of All Saints and the November 2 feast of All Souls encourage Christians to offer prayers for their departed loved ones and can also help them "think of the mystery of death without fear."

"New life, received through baptism, is not subject to the corruption and power of death," he said.

For Christians, "death is a gateway from the earthly pilgrimage to the home of heaven, where the Father welcomes all his children of every nation, race, people and tongue," he said.

Read more: Pope tells Christians to think of "death without fear"