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John Paul II's Presence Still Felt at Vatican NewsMax.com WiresVATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI won rousing applause when he borrowed some of his predecessor's most popular sound bites. Pilgrims snapped up postcards with the late pontiff's image. Polish flags appeared to outnumber German banners in packed St. Peter's Square. John Paul II's presence was keenly felt Sunday during the formal installation of his German successor Benedict as leader of the 1.1-billion member Roman Catholic Church. Story Continues Below Some in the crowd of 350,000 were torn between joy at welcoming their new pope and sadness that the man who guided them in their faith for 26 years had finished his earthly journey. "There's pain on one side and joy on the other," said Grazyna Klimowicz, who led a pilgrimage of fellow Poles to pay tribute to John Paul in the grottoes under St. Peter's Basilica and to cheer on Benedict at Sunday's Mass. Benedict has repeatedly signaled that he also cherishes John Paul, having served at his side as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Vatican's theological watchdog, for most of that papacy. When he led John Paul's funeral April 8, Ratzinger assured mourners that the late pope was benevolently watching them from heaven. On Sunday, Benedict again struck a sentimental note, invoking John Paul's words from his 1978 inauguration - "Do not be afraid" - and directing them to young people in Sunday's homily. He then echoed another John Paul sound bite, that young people should "open wide the doors" to Christ. From the first hours after John Paul's death, several cardinals and many rank-and-file Catholics hailed him as a "saint." Benedict appeared to both acknowledge this popular acclaim and the bewilderment of Catholics after the third-longest pontificate in history. "How alone we all felt after the passing of John Paul II, the pope who for over 26 years had been our shepherd and guide on the journey through life," Benedict said. Saying that "the saints from every age" are John Paul's "friends," Benedict offered another crowd-pleaser: "Now we know that he is among his own and is truly at home." Photos of John Paul were selling briskly at shops and stalls near the square. Antonietta Pezzulla bought a pack of postcards with images of John Paul for her three children, now in their 30s. They did not want any souvenirs of Benedict, she said. "My children grew up with the old pope and they are attached to him," said the homemaker from southern Italy. Rosa Napoli, who traveled from Sicily, said she does not have the same affection for the new pope that she had for John Paul. "I'm a believer. But I admit that Benedict isn't as charismatic as the other one. I was in love with the last one," Napoli said.
© 2005 The Associated Press
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