” “Germany too is getting ready to celebrate Benedict XVI’s 80th birthday. The first event has been organised by the German government: a "special" stamp worth 55 cents of a euro was issued in honour of the Pope on April 12th, with an extraordinary run of ten million four hundred thousand pieces. It is an exceptional event, because under the German law only the living presidents of the Republic can have a stamp issued in their honour. The stamp shows a smiling Pope, his arms outstretched, with the Papal coat of arms in the background and these words: "Papst Benedikt XVI. 55. Deutschland. 2007". The second event is the establishment of the "Papst Benedikt-Lehrstuhl", i.e. "Pope Benedict’s chair" in Ratisbon. The local bishop, Gerhard Ludwig Müller, and the president of the Alf Zimmer University announced that such "chair" will soon be established in this university to give access to the scientific works of Joseph Ratzinger the theologian, whose complete works will be published. This event has been promoted by the diocese of Ratisbon. Finally, one further homage for the Pope’s 80th birthday is the publication of a book containing one hundred statements made by the Pope about the "Joy of God", published by "Neue Stadt", with a preface by card. Karl Lehmann, president of the German Bishops Conference.” “
