Today, Pope Francis invites us to remember Benedict, Pontiff Emeritus, in our prayers:
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A year ago today, the pope shocked the world, when he announced his resignation. I remember how strong the reaction was and how those first impressions soon gave way to sadness. If you recall, it was almost as though the pope had died the day we watched his helicopter fly away from St Peter’s and disappear into the clouds.
I could empathize with the sadness, because it also reminded me of the last time we saw Pope John Paul II in public, less than a week before he passed away. I remember seeing him on his apartment balcony on Easter Sunday to give the world his traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing. He was visibly frail and wobbly as he attempted to raise his hand in blessing. I could see the heroic effort he made to speak, and no words came out.
I sat there stunned gazing at the screen, while my eyes teared up and the words quietly came out of my mouth, “Don’t Go!”
Such a short time had passed since we had already lost one beloved pope, we were not ready to see this one go too. So when we saw Pope Benedict leaving, I think we related it to the departure of Pope John Paul II. But in reality, it was not the same.
For one, Pope Benedict is still with us. Aren’t we happy for that? Yet in another way it was the same, because his departure was just as heroic as his predecessor’s. He had to be a man of great humility and courage to make the decision he felt he had to make. Though he knew it would startle and shock us, he did it anyway, because more importantly, he knew this was what the Church needed and the Holy Spirit wanted it.
When we look back on it now, our sentiments are probably different. As for me, the memory of Benedict’s departure is a happy one, followed by other happy memories. We got to follow him at his new, temporary residence at Castel Gondolfo. We got to see him side by side praying with his successor, whom we’ve come to love. We even got a co-authored encyclical form him and Pope Francis, within less than a year since the transition to the new pope.
And that’s not all. Today, as we join Pope Francis in praying for the Emeritus Pope Benedict, we should also remember him in a special way. I am personally fond of my memory when I saw him in New York during his visit the United States in 2008 and the very fatherly discourse he gave at St Joseph’s Seminary. I’m sure you have a fond memory or two of this lovable man. Take some time to relive it, thank God for giving us this pope, and say a special prayer for him, today.
Biltrix 
His greatness may not be measured in years, but with the passing of years, the Church shall appreciate him more and more. Ad Multos Annos!
The richness of his thought will continue to influence the Church for years to come, as will his example of holiness. Joining you in your wishes for Benedict XVI: Ad Multos Annos! Thank you for your comment.
His decision to step aside proves the unique gift of the Holy Spirit reserved for the Papacy bringing renewal & joy
In a very real way what you say is true. It was a gift for this man, with all his gifts and talents, to be elected as pope at the very time he was elected, and as time goes on, we will come to see this even more clearly. Also, as pope, he was guided by the Holy Spirit to make the hard decisions he had to make, and that is also a gift. I think we will continue to see the fruits of his radical decision for many years too, and we will realize more and more how this was indeed a blessing.
Thanks for your comment, Madeline.
Pope Benedict XVI was exactly what the Church needed at the time, as Pope Francis is now.
The Holy Spirit is active and alive in our world right now, visibly through these two Popes.
I saw it explained this way once.
Pope John Paul II: This is what we believe.
Pope Benedict XVI: This is why we believe it.
Pope Francis: Now go and do it.
A little simplistic? Maybe. But there’s certainly truth to it, I believe.
Yes, I think the Holy Spirit knows what He’s doing. Thanks, Reinkat.
It might be simple, but it is spot on.
This was beautiful James, just beautiful. (You had my eyes “tearing up” just reading you!)
How engraved in the memory of so many of us was that last glimpse of Bl. Pope John Paul II on the balcony on Easter Day 2005. Unable to speak, barely able to raise his hand, he “said” more to us in his Via Crucis than any amount of preaching could have done.
I was a BIG FAN of Pope Emeritus Benedict. I learnt so much from this beloved holy Pope. He was humility personified as well as being amazingly knowledgeable and insightful.
Pope Francis is full of courage and dynamism; he is surely the right Pope to tackle the enormous challenge of “cleaning house”. May God Bless and guide him in such a daunting undertaking.
I sent a link to this very moving article in a comment on CP&S.
Thanks for sharing your love for the Pope, Kathleen. And thanks for sharing the link to this article. CP&S is a wonderful Catholic blog and I hope it continues to gain more followers.