Pope's affirmation of Christianity transcends politics, topical notes

Published: 2006-10-23

VERONA, Italy (CNS) -- Navigating the murky waters of Italian ecclesial politics is no easy task, so interest was high when Pope Benedict XVI addressed the country's most important Catholic gathering in 10 years. The 2,700 delegates to the Fourth National Church Convention would carefully weigh the pope's words to find winners and losers -- among bishops debating the church's social and political role, among pastors proposing strategies for parish renewal, and among lay movements looking for a sign of papal approval. But when the pope finished his hourlong speech in the northern Italian city of Verona Oct. 19, it was clear that his agenda did not fit the "winners and losers" model. Like many of the most important talks of his pontificate, this one was striking not for its political arguments or topical commentary but for its eminently religious affirmation of the Christian faith. It said very little about church factions and a lot about the church's most fundamental purpose, saving souls. At 20 pages, the papal talk resembled a miniencyclical. At its core was an explanation of Christ's resurrection as the motivator of all Christian witness.

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