"Let Us Move Forward" – Ed Ora, Il Fine di Pontificato

At Roman Noon today, five days until his resignation takes effect, the 265th Roman pontiff begins his final lap in office as Pope Benedict XVI delivers his last Sunday Angelus from his study window before a crowd likely to approach some 200,000 spilling out beyond the Colonnade of St Peter's Square.

As the church enters a period unprecedented in modern times, more detail to come on the home-stretch just ahead. For now, though, as Joseph Ratzinger's last rounds on Peter's chair get underway, let's go back to the start – that memorable Tuesday evening of 19 April 2005, and the new Pope's first words to the world after his election on the fourth ballot:

“Dear Brothers and Sisters,

After the great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have chosen me – a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.

It consoles me that the Lord knows how to work and to act even with inadequate instruments. So, above all, I entrust myself to your prayers.

In the joy of the Risen Lord, trusting in his unfailing help, let us move forward, that the Lord will help us and Mary, his Most Holy Mother, might be by our side.

Thank you.”

Ed in altra volta, per tantissime grazie ricevuti per questi anni, grazie mille anche a te, caro Fluffo.

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