headline: "La Sapientia protests Pope"

here is a little story i hope encourages your faith. As some of you may know, the Pope was supposed to go speak at La Sapientia university here in rome this week, it is the largest university in the world. however, a group of teachers and students got a petition together and told the Pope they would protest his speech (even though he was invited by the Rector of the university) because they read something that the Pope does not accept science. they took some address of his out of context to get the interpretation they wanted. Apparently only 67 of some 3,000 teachers signed this, and i don't know how many students were involved. The vatican thought it best that the Pope not go to give his address this week due to the hostility and so postponed the visit. nevertheless, the Pope sent them his speech, in which he wanted to talk to them about the role of the papacy, the role of the university, and the Truth. later that day, one of the cardinals sent out the message for all in Rome who wished to show the Pope a sign of solidarity to come to St. Peter's square for this Sunday's Angelus.

at this time of year, the piazza has been about half full on any given Sunday due to the time of year and cold i suppose. today however, it was a slightly larger crowd. when we got there, the piazza was completely full and scores more were surrounding the collonades and coming up from via Conciliazione (estimated around 200,000 people). banners from many universities were flying high, and balloons too (ironically, even a large sign from La Sapienzia university). the Pope was cheered, then he hushed us so that we might pray the angelus together--he always seems to do that, quiet the people to turn to Jesus and encounter Him. he spoke about Truth today and how his whole life he has always tried to stand for the truth (the address will soon be available on the vatican website, but its not yet otherwise i'd attach it for you). as he closed the prayer and his comments he repeatedly thanked us for our sign of solidarity with him, and his eyes seemed to well up as he asked us, his "dear friends", to take this enthusiasm and energy for the truth out into our lives. he gave us his blessing (which you share in through our presence there) and went back into his apartment. apparently the protest didn't have quite the desired effect.

"The purpose of knowing the truth is to know what is good...What does the Pope have to do with, or have to say to the university? Surely he must not attempt to impose the faith on others in an authoritarian way since it can only be bestowed in freedom. Beyond his office as Shepherd of the Church, and on the basis of the intrinsic nature of this pastoral office, there is his duty to keep the sensitivity to truth alive; to continually invite reason to seek out the true, the good, God, and on this path, to urge it to glimpse the helpful lights that shine forth in the history of the Christian faith, and in this way to perceive Jesus Christ as the Light that illuminates history and helps us to find the way to the future." - from the Pope's planned address to La Sapientia

pics:
1 - my picture of the Pope at world youth day 2005
2 - about what St. Peter's square looked like today
trip to poland coming soon...waiting on pics