Happy Birthday, Pope Benedict

Tomorrow is an important date for Pope Benedict XVI and for the universal Church; the Holy Father will feel honoured to join the ranks of octogenarians, who will feel privileged to welcome him.

Not only will the faithful remember him in their prayers tomorrow, but they will also remember him again only three days later, on Thursday, which happens to be the second anniversary of his election to the Chair of Peter. So it would be great for the faithful and for the Catholic Church especially, to remember both events with joy and thanksgiving.

Even if two years are not all that sufficient to formulate a very accurate evaluation of any papacy, in Pope Benedict's case one can assert that his pontificate has so far achieved significant results.

Surely, the Holy Father firmly believes that one can perform simple gestures that also can go a long way with the unfailing help of the Lord. Perhaps one can say that Benedict XVI is the pontiff of small gestures, where John Paul II was the pontiff of grand gestures.

Even many media people who two years ago had openly, and not very respectfully, showed their disappointment at the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope, have gradually been attracted by the Holy Father's simplicity and goodness and his exceptional clarity of thought. He can share great ideas and deep reflections in very simple and clear words. And he enjoys sharing all sort of ideas and making people feel at ease with him all the time.

Indeed, in these two years, the lucidity of his thinking has always been expressed in what he is doing. Much to his credit, Pope Benedict possesses a very clear vision of what the really important issues are and he moves forward cautiously, prudently and always faithfully to the noble mission of his pontificate.

As the Bishop of Rome, the Pope quietly yet firmly explains on every occasion that the value of 'revealed truth' and the logic of natural law itself have remained unscathed by all the pernicious and subtle arguments put forward by materialistic scientists, consumerism and proponents and defenders of moral relativism.

No wonder many intelligent scholars feel Pope Benedict is a brilliant light that shines in the darkness, and a secure inspiration for millions of believers who are always on their guard not to be deceived by what is merely apparent truth.

As a great scholar, a brilliant theologian and prolific writer, Cardinal Ratzinger always stressed that there are two doors to knowledge: that of the senses, which lead to material knowledge, and that of belief, which opens the door to the knowledge of God. As Archbishop Mario Rizzi, a Vatican insider, of the same age as the Holy Father, says: "Benedict XVI is an extraordinary gift from God in this age of unbelief. In today's world, Catholics are called to live their faith like sheep among wolves. The message sent out by the mainstream media is simply hostile to our faith, and many of the faithful are losing their bearings."

In a spirit of deep gratitude we say: "Ad multos annos, Pope Benedict!"