Two years after his historic
resignation from the papacy, Benedict XVI's
presence continues to be felt by those around
him as he keeps his promise to remain in quiet
and prayerful service to the Church and the
world.
“We always know that Pope Emeritus Benedict is
present in the Vatican, with his prayers,” said
Fr. Scott Borgman, English-language official for
the Pontifical Accademy for Life. This presence,
he told CNA in a Feb. 10 email interview, “is a
very reassuring affection which we experience
often.”
At 8 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2013, Benedict XVI
stepped down from the papal throne, less than
three weeks after announcing his resignation to
the world.
Earlier that evening, the former pontiff stood
from the balcony of Castel Gandolfo's papal
residence, overlooking the thousands who had
filled the lake town's small main square.
"I wish still with my heart, my love, my prayer,
my reflection, with all my inner strength, to
work for the common good and the good of the
Church and of humanity," Benedict told the
crowds in off-the-cuff remarks just hours before
his resignation would take effect.
Looking peaceful and happy standing a few
stories above the square, Benedict XVI assured
the world that, in stepping down, he would
"simply be a pilgrim” who was “beginning the
last part of his pilgrimage on earth."
For the next two weeks, the See of Peter
remained vacant until the election of Pope
Francis on March 13, 2013.
In the two years following his resignation,
Benedict’s days have been filled with prayer and
study, largely out of the public view. He now
goes by the simple title “Father Benedict.”
Upon first hearing of Benedict XVI's impending
retirement, the first of its kind in centuries, Fr.
Borgman explained he was at once surprised
and relieved: “Surprised because no one had
seen this for 600 years,” he said, and “relieved
because, finally, after years of intense labor, he
would be able to rest and serve the Church in
another very important way through his
prayers.”
“He immediately became a kind of benevolent
grandfather figure,” Fr. Borgman said. “We all
have that image of the slight, humble pontiff
with the piercing blue eyes and that saintly
smile.”
Throughout his papacy, the Vatican official said,
Benedict XVI “infused the Church with life
through his humility and service,” from his
support for “victims of abuse to his many
journeys and diplomatic relations,” as well as his
“love for the poor and respect for the deposit of
the Faith.”
Over the course of his eight-year pontificate,
Benedict XVI was often subjected to negative,
inaccurate, and editorially selective depictions in
the secular press, such as in the areas clerical
sex abuse and gay marriage.
“We suffered alongside him with the
misrepresentations which were so common in
the popular media,” the Vatican official said.
Despite these depictions in the press, however,
“history will tell how amazing his contribution
has been and will continue to be for those who
read his writings,” he said.
Fr. Borgman recalled his impression of having
personally met Benedict XVI, twice during his
pontificate, and once – accidentally – last
September. “I was quite overcome by affection
and gratefulness to God for the gift of this great
man to the Church,” he recalled.
Benedict XVI also served as an important role
model for priests, who “benefited greatly from
his theology and his teaching on the lives of the
Saints,” Fr. Borgman said. “He was extremely
paternal for us priests and represents the
Supreme Pontiff in a very clear way, but also a
personal Father figure.”
“As a convert, I am always impressed by the
wisdom of God in giving us an earthly Father
who unites us and guides us according to what
Jesus intended when he founded the Church!”