Something new and unexpected

While the apostolic journey of Benedict XVI to Munich, Altötting and Regensburg continues (9-14 September), we present a preliminary assessment of the visit in an interview with LUDWIG RING-EIFEL , director of the KNA (Katholische Nachrichten-Agentur), the German Catholic press agency. How has Bavaria received Benedict XVI? Was he welcomed with the same warmth also in those ecclesial and cultural circles that were often critical of the present Pope when he was cardinal? “At the popular level there has been a warm welcome – something I had not seen for years – similar to that which took place on the occasion of John Paul II’s last visit to Krakow. As for ecclesial and cultural circles: they are welcoming the Pope far more openly than in the past. They speak of him with greater clarity and balance. It’s an attitude that is also encountered in the media, particularly in those with traditionally antagonistic political positions, which viewed Cardinal Ratzinger as a kind of black beast, an inquisitor. Now, in the lay press there is a better-balanced and clearer judgement. His speeches are published almost in full, even those with theological contents. That’s something new for us. Even the Pope’s words on Mary were reported, something unthinkable until a few years ago”. What have so far been the reactions of the other Christian Churches? “The Pope reacted very well to the reference to ecumenism in President Köhler’s speech; speaking off the cuff, he declared his wish to do everything to further the ecumenical process with all the strength of heart and of reason. We should also mention the presence of the Lutheran bishop of Bavaria – Bishop Friedrich – during the Marian pilgrimage to Altötting. It was the bishop’s first visit to this place of Marian worship and he remarked that the way in which the Pope has celebrated Mass had opened his eyes to a new way of seeing veneration for Mary in the Catholic Church. He also announced that he would like to return to Altötting. That’s wonderful”. What of the Pope’s words have especially struck German public opinion? “Difficult to say. So far, perhaps, his speech on deafness to God: no longer having any feeling for God, for religion, and finding oneself orphaned and bereft of God. These words of the Pope opened the ears even of those who are not used to listening to homilies or theological discourses. A journalist summed up this concept very well when he said: John Paul II had said: Open wide the doors to Christ . The motto of this Pope instead is: Open your ears to God“. After WYD in Cologne, it seems German youth have begun to rediscover their faith. We have seen them in large numbers also during this visit of the Pope. Do you think there are signs of a rediscovery of being Christians? “People began to speak of a rediscovery of religion already at the time of the death of John Paul II. The media, which thought that the young were completely atheist and hedonistic, now note the presence of a powerful minority that is rediscovering its Christian or Catholic faith. This trend is being reinforced by the visit of Benedict XVI. In this too we see that something is growing, being reborn anew, after a winter that had lasted since 1968”. The Pope’s journey is also stimulating reflections on the relation between faith and politics. What’s your view of that? “Hitherto I have only seen a smattering of rhetoric in politics. Declaring oneself Christian is becoming chic . The political world has realized there is a trend which, though not a majority one – it’s as well to remember that -, is very visible, lively, present in the media, and is taking account of it. I think repercussions on the level of dialogue with Islam are possible. The Pope’s remarks on a reasonable dialogue with Islam – for example, when he stressed in Munich the need to respect the sacred in others – represent a new approach to relations with Muslims. In this field, the German government is still seeking a way of dialoguing and communicating, but has not yet properly found it. Perhaps the Pope’s visit will give a new impetus to a deeper dialogue with Islam, which goes beyond the purely technical and juridical level”. How is the German press reporting this apostolic journey? “The media coverage is far more extensive than in the past. The leading national dailies are dedicating a page each day to the Pope’s visit. Public and private television channels are offering an almost complete coverage. There is also the close attention of the lay media testifying to a change in mentality: I see this even in lay colleagues, self-declared atheists, who now give greater emphasis to religion than in the past. They now grasp it’s a living reality which they must take into account and must – as good journalists – speak about”.