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It’s interesting to note how the media has changed its tune about the Pope’s visit to Britain.
Before his arrival, they were dismissive of its purpose and critical about its cost. Given the warm, crowded and rapturous welcome he has been given everywhere he has been, the media now applauds not only his visit but many of the things he has had to say.
It was fascinating to see the Pope praying with Archbishop Williams, amidst clouds of incense, at the tomb and shrine of Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey on Friday evening. At times, the panoply of the Church of England seemed to be more ‘High Church’ than that of Rome. Nonetheless, it was an uplifting occasion, and the spontaneous round of applause that greeted the Pope as he left the Abbey was wonderful to behold and also told much about the public’s view of his visit.
And who could fail to have been uplifted by the joyous and enthusiastic welcome given by over two thousand of Britain’s children to the Pope after he left Westminster Cathedral yesterday. Representing every parish in the country, the Pope was most obviously delighted by those children as they cheered and clapped him - children and young people that put the lie to what many may see as the present ‘yoof’ culture.
This Pope may not have the outward personality of his predecessor, but he makes his words count, as for example something that particularly rang with me: ‘There are those who would advocate that the voice of religion be silenced, or at least relegated to the purely private sphere. There are those who argue that the public celebration of festivals such as Christmas should be discouraged, in the questionable belief that it might somehow offend those of other religions or none.’
Today his Holiness will hold a Mass in Birmingham, attended by thousands of Catholics, in which he will beatify Cardinal John Newman which will take him one step closer to becoming a saint. Cardinal Newman, who died in 1890, was an Anglican academic and priest who converted to Catholicism. His beatification follows a proven miracle attributed to him and, if another is proved later on, he will become England's first non-martyred saint since before the Reformation.
The Pope’s visit has shown very clearly that there are still people who follow a creed and who are prepared to turn out and be counted as its supporters.
.
It’s interesting to note how the media has changed its tune about the Pope’s visit to Britain.
Before his arrival, they were dismissive of its purpose and critical about its cost. Given the warm, crowded and rapturous welcome he has been given everywhere he has been, the media now applauds not only his visit but many of the things he has had to say.
It was fascinating to see the Pope praying with Archbishop Williams, amidst clouds of incense, at the tomb and shrine of Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey on Friday evening. At times, the panoply of the Church of England seemed to be more ‘High Church’ than that of Rome. Nonetheless, it was an uplifting occasion, and the spontaneous round of applause that greeted the Pope as he left the Abbey was wonderful to behold and also told much about the public’s view of his visit.
And who could fail to have been uplifted by the joyous and enthusiastic welcome given by over two thousand of Britain’s children to the Pope after he left Westminster Cathedral yesterday. Representing every parish in the country, the Pope was most obviously delighted by those children as they cheered and clapped him - children and young people that put the lie to what many may see as the present ‘yoof’ culture.
This Pope may not have the outward personality of his predecessor, but he makes his words count, as for example something that particularly rang with me: ‘There are those who would advocate that the voice of religion be silenced, or at least relegated to the purely private sphere. There are those who argue that the public celebration of festivals such as Christmas should be discouraged, in the questionable belief that it might somehow offend those of other religions or none.’
Today his Holiness will hold a Mass in Birmingham, attended by thousands of Catholics, in which he will beatify Cardinal John Newman which will take him one step closer to becoming a saint. Cardinal Newman, who died in 1890, was an Anglican academic and priest who converted to Catholicism. His beatification follows a proven miracle attributed to him and, if another is proved later on, he will become England's first non-martyred saint since before the Reformation.
The Pope’s visit has shown very clearly that there are still people who follow a creed and who are prepared to turn out and be counted as its supporters.
.
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