Source: Zenit
VATICAN CITY, APRIL 19, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The past five years of Benedict XVI's pontificate have served to make the light of Christ shine, said the Vatican spokesman. April 19 marked the anniversary of the Pontiff's 2005 election.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, made this observation on the latest edition of "Octava Dies."
"The time has passed rapidly and the events have been intense in the five completed years of this pontificate," he said.
The priest noted that in order to interpret these events correctly "one must necessarily return in thought to the Sistine Chapel, the morning after the election, when the new Pope received the spiritual legacy of his great predecessor and indicated the priorities that were to guide his service 'in the vineyard of the Lord.'"
In that message, addressed to the cardinal electors at the end of the Eucharistic concelebration (April 20, 2005), are summarized the objectives of this pontificate, Father Lombardi noted in his editorial. Among these objectives, he highlighted among the Holy Father's desire to serve "man's relationship with God, revealed by Jesus Christ, found particularly in the Eucharist, in the worship of the Church," as well as "the commitment -- without sparing any energies -- to rebuild the full and visible unity of all the followers of Christ."
Article provided by ZENIT News Agency.