In Polish TV interview, Pope Benedict talks of legacy of JPII

Published: 2005-10-17

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said he does not plan to issue many new documents in his papacy, but instead will focus on assimilating the teachings of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. The pope also said he hopes to visit Poland, the late pontiff's homeland, sometime next June. He made the comments in an interview broadcast by Polish television Oct. 16, the 27th anniversary of Pope John Paul's election. Vatican Radio made a transcript of the interview available online. Pope Benedict spoke movingly of his continued affection for the late pope and said he was engaged in a "permanent dialogue" with him. "A man who goes to the Lord doesn't disappear. I believe that someone who goes to the Lord comes even closer to us," the pope said. "The pope is always close to me through his writings. I hear him and I see him speaking, so I can keep up a continuous dialogue with him," he said.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .