I've translated excerpts from an article from the German magazine Der Spiegel - no friend of the Church, that magazine. But, definitely friendlier since Pope John Paul II. died. It used to be the magazine for all the whiners - Kueng, Drewermann, Ranke-Heinemann etc. The latter two have since left the Church. Rebellion suddenly isn't that cool anymore but rather something very old-fashioned. Heck, the article's even called "Joseph's Return" and misses the usual snarky remarks.
On the plane Benedict XVI. tells the journalists that his heart beats Bavarian and that he doesn't know wheteher he'll manage to return another time due to his advanced age. Therefore this homecoming of 2006 is so important to him. Some day the people will remember the happy Pope when they talk about those days in September. Joseph Ratzinger smiles, his eyes beaming, "I am returning to my country, to my compatriots." The Pope is not talking about Germany. For the area between Rhine and Oder he has no homesickness, but reconsiliation. Germany is viewed as difficult at the Vatican because it has a large Protestant segment. His arrival at the airport is broadcast on bigscreens in downtown München, where 70.000 people wait for him. Even the bartenders of the Viktualienmarkt have flatscreens installed over the taps: "We're always informed."...At 5:28pm the people in the square start to shriek - Benedict XVI. arrives in his Papamobil. As he exits, fanfares sound. Joseph Ratzinger smiles and waves and smiles and waves. He doesn't speak, only looks. In the center of the square is the Mariensaeule (Mary's column). A podium has been attached to it. The Pope walks around the column, waving, looking alternatingly at the cheering people, the houses and at the column. His eyes are glistening.Everyone is moved, but the emotions will be fired up even more. At the end Benedict XVI. doesn't just sing along with the sacred songs, he also sings the Bavarian anthem with gusto: "God with you, o Land of the Bavarians."
On the plane Benedict XVI. tells the journalists that his heart beats Bavarian and that he doesn't know wheteher he'll manage to return another time due to his advanced age. Therefore this homecoming of 2006 is so important to him. Some day the people will remember the happy Pope when they talk about those days in September. Joseph Ratzinger smiles, his eyes beaming, "I am returning to my country, to my compatriots." The Pope is not talking about Germany. For the area between Rhine and Oder he has no homesickness, but reconsiliation. Germany is viewed as difficult at the Vatican because it has a large Protestant segment. His arrival at the airport is broadcast on bigscreens in downtown München, where 70.000 people wait for him. Even the bartenders of the Viktualienmarkt have flatscreens installed over the taps: "We're always informed."...At 5:28pm the people in the square start to shriek - Benedict XVI. arrives in his Papamobil. As he exits, fanfares sound. Joseph Ratzinger smiles and waves and smiles and waves. He doesn't speak, only looks. In the center of the square is the Mariensaeule (Mary's column). A podium has been attached to it. The Pope walks around the column, waving, looking alternatingly at the cheering people, the houses and at the column. His eyes are glistening.Everyone is moved, but the emotions will be fired up even more. At the end Benedict XVI. doesn't just sing along with the sacred songs, he also sings the Bavarian anthem with gusto: "God with you, o Land of the Bavarians."
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