Benedict pledges ‘unconditional obedience’ to next pope

A few hours before his resignation, Pope Benedict sought to reassure cardinals and the rest of the church on two important points.

First, he said that the church is a “living reality” that can transform itself and adapt to modern times without changing its fundamental identity, which is found in Christ. The message here was that while papal resignation marks a shift in the office of the papacy, it does not mark a break with the church’s core mission and values.

Second, Benedict, in the clearest words possible, pledged his “unconditional reverence and obedience” to the next pope. Although no one expects Benedict to interfere in any way with the ministry of his successor, this was a line that probably needed to be pronounced so that no one has any doubts, and so that any question of split allegiances will be avoided in the future.

The pope spoke to more than 130 cardinals and dozens of Roman Curia officials who gathered in the Vatican’s ornate Clementine Hall to say goodbye, about nine hours before his resignation was to take affect. Some of the cardinals whispered in the pope’s ear as they came up for individual greetings, others handed him notes and a few posed afterward for a photo with the departing pontiff.

Addressing the pope briefly at the start of the ceremony, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, appeared to be sending some not-so-subtle signals about recent criticism of the Roman Curia. He underlined the pope’s recent words of appreciation for the Curia’s efforts over the last eight years, quoting the pontiff as praising the “great competence, affection, love and faith” of his Curia officials.

Over the last two weeks, commentators and even some cardinals have described the Roman Curia as part of the burden that weighed on Pope Benedict, pointing to recent episodes of mismanagement, leaks and power struggles in some Vatican quarters. In some accounts, the pope has been described as frustrated and disappointed by the mistakes of top aides, and alarmed at malfeasance inside Vatican walls.

Pope Benedict himself does not seem to be buying into that narrative. Yesterday, in a farewell address to the faithful, he went out of his way to praise the work of the Roman Curia, and said that despite some “rough waters” he looked back on his pontificate with a sense of joy and accomplishment.

The pope’s heartfelt goodbye — and a nod to the Curia

Those waiting for Pope Benedict to open his heart on the question of his resignation were not disappointed today.

In his final general audience, the day before he abdicates the papal throne, the pope spoke in an unusually personal way about his decision and offered a frank assessment of his pontificate – both the moments of joy and moments of “rough waters.”

His words appeared designed to counter the popular media image of a discouraged and defeated pope who felt let down by the top officials of the Roman Curia.

He went out of his way, in fact, to thank the Curia, in particular the secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who has been seen by many observers as a big part of the problem when it comes to Curia tensions and infighting.

Benedict also expressed gratitude to the many Vatican employees who “remain in the shadows, but who precisely in their silence and daily dedication … have been for me a sure and trusted support.”

Speaking to an overflow and enthusiastic crowd in St. Peter’s Square, the pope took issue with what has become a dominant narrative in the media: that of a pontiff so frustrated with the problems of church governance and ill-served by his aides that he felt constrained to leave the scene.

“I have never felt alone in bearing the joy and the weight of the papal ministry,” he said. He said he’s relied on cardinals and the Roman Curia for advice, and always felt the “attention and great affection” of Catholic faithful around the world.

And despite the disappointments of his pontificate – which he did not specify – the pope said he was left with the conviction that the church still offers the path to real happiness, even “at a time when so many people talk about its decline.”

Some of the pope’s words also could be read as cautionary advice to a successor, especially when he said that “whoever assumes the papal ministry has no more privacy.” He no longer belongs to himself, but belongs to everyone, and any “private dimension” of his life disappears, the pope said.

That goes for a retired pope, too, he added.

“I’m not returning to a private life, to a life of trips, meetings, receptions or conferences,” he said. Instead, he said he plans to emulate St. Benedict, his papal namesake, in leading a life dedicated completely to God.

In explaining his own decision to retire, the pope made a remark that might have been aimed at the cardinals who will soon gather to elect his successor: “To love the church also means having the courage to make difficult choices, agonizing choices, keeping one’s focus always on the good of the church and not on oneself.”

The pope ended his talk on a characteristic note, asking his audience to remember that God loves them. Then he sat back and, with a beaming smile, listened as the crowd gave him a prolonged ovation.

A step toward transparency

Good news today from the Vatican press office: the powers-that-be have decided to brief reporters during the cardinals’ daily pre-conclave meetings, which will probably begin March 4.

As I argued in my post yesterday (below), a news blackout on the cardinals’ meetings, called “general congregations,” would have simply fed the spiraling journalistic speculation about the coming conclave. The conclave remains a secret process, of course, but there was room for flexibility in the run-up meetings, when the cardinals will discuss priorities, directions and challenges for the church.

The Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, told reporters today that journalists would be briefed not only on logistical decisions made by the cardinals but would also be given “synthetic” summaries of the larger themes discussed.

Lombardi also said the cardinals could decide to meet twice a day, in morning and afternoon sessions. The official convocation will go out to cardinals March 1, the first full day of the “sede vacante,” so the first general congregation is not expected before Monday, March 4.