Long live Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI

A few words from our Holy Father during the Mass of Enthronement:

We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is a result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.

And our friend and occasional tour guide in Rome, Msgr. James D. Conley, sent us these encouraging words:

"Needless to say, it has been an historical and exciting month in Rome. Beginning with the passion and death of our beloved John Paul II, his funeral Mass and nine days of mourning, the arrival of all the Cardinals of the Catholic Church and the beginning of the conclave, the surprisingly quick and decisive choice of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger in only four ballots -- indicating the clear mandate of the Holy Spirit, and the crowning event of today's Mass of Enthronement for Pope Benedict XVI in Saint Peter's Square.
It has been truly providential with all of this occurring during these days of Eastertide -- when we contemplate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have had our own passion, death and resurrection with the passing of John Paul II and the raising up of Benedict XVI.
God is good - and looks after his sheep with love and mercy. Pope Benedict's homily today was filled with hope and excitement for the future - interrupted repeatedly by thunderous applause by the nearly 500,000 pilgrims who filled square and the Via della Conciliazione. It was good to finally see him take his place in the pope-mobile after the Mass and drive through crowds bestowing his Apostolic Blessing.
I think it is safe to say that the Catholic Church has "owned" the month of April.
Deo Gratias! Long live Pope Benedict XVI!"