Wish I was there, but I’m quite certain this will be the beginning of something grand:
The German-born Benedict, 78, after years as a powerful Vatican official working behind the scenes, has grown into his job since assuming the papacy four months ago, appearing more comfortable addressing small crowds at his public appearances in Italy.
Still, his style is markedly different from his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, who was at ease singing, swaying and even shuffling his feet to music at youth events that at times drew more than a million people.
‘He doesn’t lack the ability to communicate, but he may have a problem with what young people demand the most: communicating in a far-reaching and immediate way, something in which John Paul was a master,’ said Franco Garelli, a sociology professor at Turin University who has done research on young Catholics.
Young Catholics are not impressed with illusions of congeniality. We want red meat. Theology, philosophy, apologetics — everything that made Cardinal Ratzinger so popular among the Catholic intelligentsia. Pope Benedict XVI will not fail to impress.