"A man of public responsibility must always be a man who listens and who knows how to learn from what he listens to". It was said, off the cuff, by the Pope, in today’s catechesis, dedicated to the figure of Saint Benedict. Lingering on the figure of the Abbot, the "self-portrait" of the Patron Saint of Europe, Benedict XVI pointed out that in the Benedictine Rule one is called "to decide responsibly" as well as to listen to "the advice of his brothers", because "often God reveals the best solution to the youngest one". "This provision said the Pontiff makes a rule that was written nearly fifteen centuries ago surprisingly modern". Not to mention that, according to Saint Benedict, the monastery, as well as working in "hiding", also has "a public purpose in the life of the Church and society". On 21st March 547, Benedict of Norcia said the Pope left, with his Rule and with the Benedictine family that he had founded, a heritage that has borne fruit all over the world so far". About this heritage, Benedict XVI spoke again at the end of the catechesis during today’s audience: "In looking for real progress he began, off the cuff , let’s keep listening to the Rule as the light shining on our path. Saint Benedict remains a real master, from whom we can learn the art of living the true humanism".” ” ” “
