Yesterday at 8pm, Pope Benedict XVI, retired as Bishop of Rome. All of the Cardinals are gathered in Rome to meet and select a date to begin the Conclave to elect a new Pope. I feel as though I have learned a lot from this, especially two things in particular. One, the importance of love and prayers for the Roman Pontiff and two, the importance of knowing what the Catholic Church teaches and how to explain to people, in a gentle and loving way, the Church in all her beauty. As I watched the Holy Father leave the Vatican and then again as the Swiss Guards closed the doors to Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of the Pope, I was struck with how much my heart was saddened by the event. It took my understanding of what it means to be Catholic to another level. You see, we aren't just a group of people who believe the same things and pray the same prayers. No, we're more than that; we're family. As I watched others in Rome thank the Holy Father for his wisdom, guidance and love, I couldn't help but be thankful that they were there, almost as if on my behalf, sharing the same gratitude I had for the man who has done so much for our Church. When I saw people crying I couldn't help but cry too. I began crying because I love the Holy Father, will miss him, and am truly grateful for all the many blessings he provided for the Church. The decision of the Holy Father to retire is one that was discerned with love and aimed at furthering his ministry to us all, as a Church, through prayer and I trust his discernment.
I have heard a lot of media sources call the Conclave a secret meeting. However, this is not the case. When the Conclave begins the Cardinals will be confined to certain areas and not allowed communication with the outside world. This is to help them focus in their discernment of the new Pope and not to be swayed in their votes by any outside opinions of the secular world. The Cardinals will come together to vote twice a day and the pope-elect needs a two-thirds majority vote to be elected as Bishop of Rome. This is a great opportunity to pray for our Church and to pray especially for these "princes" of the Church, as the Holy Father called them yesterday. Nicolette, Kristen, Catherine and I came across this really cool website: Adopt a Cardinal If you go to this website you can submit your e-mail address and they will send you the name of a Cardinal for you to pray for during the Conclave.
As much as this is a time for sadness because we will miss the Holy Father, now known as His Holiness, Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus of Rome, this is also a time of joyful anticipation for what the Lord has in store for us as a Church. Soon enough we will have a new Holy Father and will together say, "Habemus Papem!" Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide us all and that we continue to be a people of faith, hope and love!
Written by Alycia
