caritas est (God Is Love) in December 2005. Unusual yet very beautiful, this first encyclical sold more than three million copies in Italy alone. By inaugurating a trilogy on the three theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity—it gave witness to the primacy of God in the pope’s thought. What had been the foundation for him from the beginning, from his first course and throughout his reflections during the time of the Second Vatican Council, was God, his free initiative in loving his creatures and bringing them to communion: “God is the absolute and ultimate source of all being; but this universal principle of creation…is at the same time a lover with all the passion of a true love” (Deus caritas est, 10). In Valencia, Spain, a million people celebrated the World Meeting of Families with Benedict XVI in July 2006. This success took the pope somewhat by surprise. He attributed it to the fecundity of John Paul II’s sufferings for the whole Church, which had given her a new vitality, as well as to his known friendship with him. And he added: “This does not come from me.”62 60 Ibid., p. 15. 61 Benedict XVI: His Life and Thought, p. 477. 62 Light of the World, p. 18. UNDER THE SIGN OF JOY Each day, he received many letters from the entire world, from priests, religious, parents, and children: “We pray for you, be not afraid, we like you.”60 This touched him very much. When he was tired, he said with laughter, he would watch episodes of Don Camillo and Peppone. What he missed the most was not being able to go to restaurants with his brother or just to be at home as before, in his own house. His first year in the See of Peter unfolded amid general fervor and enthusiasm. It opened in a strong way with World Youth Day in Cologne, in his native country, in August 2005. The pope was surprised and honored by the welcome he received from the young people. He did not try to imitate his charismatic predecessor, centering the celebration of World Youth Day in a new manner, upon Eucharistic adoration: “Christ takes from you nothing that is beautiful and great,” he said to the crowd, “but brings everything to perfection for the glory of God, the happiness of men and women, and the salvation of the world.”61 The theologian pope published Deus At Vienna during the recitation of the Angelus. Christoph Cardinal Schönborn, who was his student at Regensburg, stands at his side. In August 2005, WYD takes place in Cologne. A million faithful attend the closing Mass. Benedict XVI is surprised by the fervor of the pilgrims. At Rome on November 13, 2005, the pope beatifies Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916). A former soldier and later an explorer, he became a hermit in the Sahara after his conversion. At Valencia, beginning July 2006, the pope participates in the fifth World Meeting of Families. Here again, a million participants surround him on the last day. © Leemage © Akg © Akg © Akg B E N E D I C T X V I the man 52 • BENEDICT XVI BENEDICT XVI • 53
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