pope was against condoms and was endangering the health of Africans. It is important, here, to listen to the message of the bishops of West Africa on this subject: “AIDS will not be overcome by putting aside the spiritual and moral resources of men…. From the bottom of our hearts we African bishops thank the Holy Father who is so close to us. He encourages all of us to live and promote the humanization of sexuality.”75 In spite of these trials, when a journalist asked the pope whether, faced with such a heavy and arduous task, he had considered resigning, he answered: “When the danger is great one must not run away. Precisely at a time like this one must stand fast and endure the difficult situaSTANDING FIRM In March 2009, the pope went on a journey of great pastoral importance to Africa, which he called “the continent of Hope.”73 But the media only remembered a remark he made, taken out of context, on the plane en route to Yaoundé, as he answered a question on the use of condoms as a way to stop the spread of AIDS. According to the journalist, the position of the Church seemed neither realistic nor effective. “I would say the opposite,” the pope replied; “the problem [of AIDS] cannot be overcome by the distribution of prophylactics: on the contrary, they increase it.”74 This was soon heard all over the world: the tion. One can resign at a peaceful moment or when one can simply not go on.”76 The Holy Father did not falter. It is interesting to observe that throughout these years in which the sins of the members of the Church were revealed, he chose to focus his general audiences on the saints (from March 15, 2006 to the end of July 2010). He seemed to be reminding us that God never stops calling sinners to conversion; that baptism is a vocation to holiness, which becomes possible through God’s grace and the unique “yes” of each person, through the multiplicity of historical periods, states in life, and personalities. The mission of the Church is to bring the Holy Face of Christ into the world. 73 Benedict XVI, Address at the Cathedral of Cotonou, Apostolic Journey to Benin, November 18, 2011. 74 Benedict XVI: His Life and Thought, p. 585. 75 Ibid., pp. 587–588. 76 Light of the World, p. 29. Benedict XVI loves Africa, the “continent of Hope.” After Cameroon and Angola (2009), he visits Benin. In the stadium of Cotonou, on November 20, 2011, he urges fifty thousand faithful not to idolize power and wealth. Despite his advanced age, the pope, who is eightyfour years old, meets the faithful and encourages them to follow Christ. He also teaches, most notably during his catecheses. Below, during the recitation of the Angelus at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence. © Leemage © Leemage © Alamy B E N E D I C T X V I the man 60 • BENEDICT XVI BENEDICT XVI • 61
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