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At
the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, Pope Benedict XVI celebrates
his first Mass as pontiff.
Excerpts from Pope
Benedict XVI's message after the first Mass celebrated by
him as pontiff. The message was read in Latin to cardinals
gathered in the Sistine Chapel.
"I seem to feel
his strong hand holding mine. I feel I can see his smiling
eyes and hear his words, at this moment particularly directed
at me: 'Be not afraid.''' (Speaking of the late Pope John
Paul II).
"I too ... want
to affirm with decisive willingness to follow in the commitment
of carrying out the Second Vatican Council, in the wake of
my predecessors and in faithful continuity with the 2,000-year-old
tradition of the church.''
"... His (Peter's)
current successor takes as his primary task that of working
sparing no energies to reconstitute the full and visible
unity of all Christ's followers. This is his ambition, this
is his pressing duty. He is aware that showing good sentiments
is not enough for this. Concrete acts that enter souls and
move consciences are needed.''
"In the wake of
his predecessors, he is fully determined to cultivate any
initiative that might seem appropriate to promote contacts
and understanding with representatives of different churches
and ecclesial communities.''
"I address everybody,
even those who follow other religions or who simply look for
an answer to life's fundamental questions and still haven't
found it. To all, I turn with simplicity and affection, to
ensure that the church wants to continue weaving an open and
sincere dialogue with them, in the quest for the real good
for man and society.''
"I will spare
no efforts and dedication to continue the promising dialogue
with different civilizations that was started by my cherished
predecessors, so that a better future for everybody originates
from mutual comprehension.''
"I am thinking
especially about the youths. My affectionate thought goes
to them, Pope John Paul II's privileged interlocutors, while,
God willing, I wait to meet with them in Cologne on the occasion
of the next World Youth Day. I will continue the dialogue
with you, dear youths, future and hope of the church and mankind.''
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