San Francisco archbishop says pope is 'radiant,' 'genuinely smiling'

Published: 2005-05-03

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Archbishop William J. Levada of San Francisco was one of the first residential bishops to be granted an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Archbishop Levada met the pope May 3 to convey his personal best wishes and those of Catholics in his archdiocese, the archbishop said. "He seems to be very happy," Archbishop Levada told Catholic News Service. While the pope has mentioned more than once that he is 78 years old and had thought he would be retiring rather than taking on the challenge of shepherding the universal church, Pope Benedict seemed happy and relaxed in the Apostolic Palace, the archbishop said. "He was genuinely smiling and I think he is radiant, that is the best way to describe him," Archbishop Levada said. "I hope it is the grace of the Holy Spirit in him and with him."

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