Co-worker in the Truth, PP Benedictus XVI

Pope Benedict is a remarkable person for many reasons.  His "accomplishments" are too long to note in such a short space.  To mention a few would be undignified.  However, one that should not be lost is his willingness to meet with the media.

At St. Josephs Seminary in Dunwoodie, NY, April 2008.

You may remember that he made a video presentation for us in America to kick off his papal visit in April of 2008.  Then on the plane ride here, he fielded questions and addressed the recent scandal in the Church with heartfelt sympathy.  He then met with some of the victims themselves, showing all the pastors of the Church what we must do in order to forge reconciliation.

The thing that is also very inspirational about his pastoral way is his candor.  He has done something unprecedented recently, granting a full length interview to a member of the German media, Peter Seewald.  It is the subject of his most recent book, Light of the World: The Pope, The Church and The Signs Of The Times .  If nothing else then, this Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, is anything but shrouded in "secrecy" or guiding our Church from the lofty confines of an "ivory tower."  Instead, he is as his motto suggests, "Just a humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord, a co-worker in the Truth."*

 Light of the World: The Pope, The Church and The Signs Of The Times 

 Click here to "peruse" at Amazon.com

He truly is a humble man who is actually very "shy".  Peter Seewald commented to Catholic News Agency this about the Pope, "The first misunderstanding is the idea that Joseph Ratzinger is a Pope who is conservative, harsh, too strict, a man who likes power.  None of these characteristics truly reflect the personality of him, a man who is one of the great minds of the Catholic Church."  Click here for full interview (short)

*Benedict's papal (episcopal) motto is "Co-worker in the Truth."   This is the same as his motto from the time he was first ordained Bishop in 1977.  Among the first words he said as Pope, upon the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after the conclave was, "I am just a humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord."