Vatican City
The morning of February 27 dawned with a cloudless blue sky above Rome. Just after 10:30, in St. Peter's Square, before a large crowd, Pope Benedict XVI delivered his last audience. An unprecedented event in the life of the Church and a lesson of Christian life: "One receives life when one gives it away." A group of the Teresian Association in Rome was present.
"It was a very exciting encounter where more than 150,000 people hailed and applauded the Pope nonstop as he said goodbye and thanked them for their support, love, and closeness," says Pilar Reinoso, from St. Peter's Square.
"I wish my greetings and my gratitude reach out to all: the heart of a Pope lengthens and embraces the whole Church spread throughout the world" "My heartfelt thanks! I'm really moved! And I see the Church alive! And I think we should also give thanks to the Creator for the good weather He is giving us even now in winter, "were the opening words of a Pope who has written a landmark new page in the life of the Church.
Pilar Reinoso continues her testimony: "From early morning the square was filled with enthusiasm, with flags moving in the wind, with songs and emotions ... with colors, joy and the various languages of the countries of the world who want to say goodbye to the pastor who has guided the universal Church with his brilliant magisterium for eight years.”
“The excitement seems to reach its culmination when the Pope starts to take a long tour through the entire plaza in the pope mobile. He seems to welcome as well as say goodbye to each of the people present. For ten minutes the Pope is part of the crowd that cheers him. People bring to him several children, whom he kisses and blesses. He is the Father among his children. He wants to say, once again, that his decision is a response to what the Lord, the true Shepherd of the Church, has asked of him: ‘I have taken this step in full awareness of its severity and its novelty, but with a deep serenity of mind. Loving the Church also means having the courage to make tough decisions that make us suffer, putting forward the good of the Church and not oneself. "
The Pope's words, which are simple, direct, and emotional, deserve to be read and reflected upon. He spoke calmly, raising his eyes several times toward the crowd.
Finally Benedict XVI, says: "That in our hearts, in the heart of each one of you may always be the cheerful certainty that the Lord is with us, that He doesn’t forsake us, that he is close and surrounds us with his love. Thank you. " The applause did not seem to end. Then the Pope greets and blessed everyone in various languages.
"The group of the Teresian Association that was present wanted to thank the Pope for his years of self-giving as pastor of the Church, and in particular, for the many gestures of closeness and affection shown towards the Associatin especially on the occasion of the commemoration of the Centennial".
Pilar Reinoso, Rome.