Yesterday evening during the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul, Pope Benedict inaugurated the Pauline Year at the Roman Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls where the remains of the Apostle have been kept for centuries. The Holy Father accompanied by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I walked in procession to the atrium where one could clearly sense an atmosphere of reverence and hear hymns to the saints in Latin as a subtle background. In front of the famous marble statue of St. Paul, they lit the candles that will remain burning during the entire Pauline year. The Holy Father and the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church walked together, side by side, preceeded by various priests of various denominations, through the Pauline Door which is situated on the left hand side of the Basilica's main door.
Upon their entry, Pope Benedict greeted some of the faithful in the Basilica who were attending the service under the strict surveillance of the Swiss Guards in their colourful uniforms. Both church leaders reached the presbyterium to venerate the sepulchre of the saint where the Holy Father in his red cape, incensed the closed sepulchre protected by glass panels.
During this intense solemn moment, many of those present could be seen praying and meditating on what the Pope had previously said in his homily referring to the Apostle as a person who has never looked for a superficial harmony but who regarded truth as too great to be sacrificed for an external success. The truth he had experienced in the encounter with the Risen Christ very much deserved the struggle, the persecution, the suffering. The chaplain of the Basilica also referred to the Apostle as "the best communicator".
Pope Benedict then reached the cathedra among the four majestic columns on the altar and the huge painting above, while the choir and cardinals sang hyms. Upon the beginning of the Vespers, the Holy Father officially greeted Patriarch Bartholomew I to whom the present applauded warmheartedly. The Pontiff referred to the Orthodox presence as the presence of the old civilisations to which Paul preached. He desribed their entrance into the Basilica as being together on the threshold as pilgrims on the footsteps of the Apostle of Gentiles.
Upon their entry, Pope Benedict greeted some of the faithful in the Basilica who were attending the service under the strict surveillance of the Swiss Guards in their colourful uniforms. Both church leaders reached the presbyterium to venerate the sepulchre of the saint where the Holy Father in his red cape, incensed the closed sepulchre protected by glass panels.
During this intense solemn moment, many of those present could be seen praying and meditating on what the Pope had previously said in his homily referring to the Apostle as a person who has never looked for a superficial harmony but who regarded truth as too great to be sacrificed for an external success. The truth he had experienced in the encounter with the Risen Christ very much deserved the struggle, the persecution, the suffering. The chaplain of the Basilica also referred to the Apostle as "the best communicator".
Pope Benedict then reached the cathedra among the four majestic columns on the altar and the huge painting above, while the choir and cardinals sang hyms. Upon the beginning of the Vespers, the Holy Father officially greeted Patriarch Bartholomew I to whom the present applauded warmheartedly. The Pontiff referred to the Orthodox presence as the presence of the old civilisations to which Paul preached. He desribed their entrance into the Basilica as being together on the threshold as pilgrims on the footsteps of the Apostle of Gentiles.
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