Pope Praises Life of 13th Century Pontiff Who Quit, Associated Press, July 4, 2010

Pope Praises Life of 13th-Century Pontiff Who Quit

Associated Press
July 4, 2010

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hlOIsVxsHeMV8qFTzM-q0xIf05NAD9GOBVJ80

SULMONA, Italy — Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday that "for all our weaknesses" priests have an important role in the world.

Benedict did not directly mention the clergy abuse scandal that has rocked the Catholic church for months. But during a daylong visit to a central Italian town, he received a round of applause and words of support by local youths greeting him "in this time of harsh attacks and media provocation."

Minutes later, Benedict told the youths that "for all our weaknesses, still priests are a precious presence in life."

Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful in front of the remains of Celestine V at the end of a mass in Sulmona, Italy, Sunday, July 4, 2010. The Pontiff has traveled to a central Italian town to pay homage to Celestine V, the 13th-century hermit pontiff who resigned, saying he was not up to the task. Benedict urged the faithful Sunday to learn from Celestine's sober and simple life. He praised Celestine for his detachment from material things such as money and clothes.
Photo by Gregorio Borgia

The trip to Sulmona was dedicated to honoring Celestine V, the 13th-century hermit who resigned the papacy saying that he was not up to the task.

Benedict said his simple and humble lifestyle can serve as an example for modern men and women. The pontiff praised his predecessor for his detachment from material things such as money and clothes.

Pope Benedict XVI looks on as he sits in front of the remains of Celestine V during a mass in Sulmona, Italy, Sunday, July 4, 2010. The Pontiff has traveled to a central Italian town to pay homage to Celestine V, the 13th-century hermit pontiff who resigned, saying he was not up to the task. Benedict urged the faithful Sunday to learn from Celestine's sober and simple life. He praised Celestine for his detachment from material things such as money and clothes.
Photo by Gregorio Borgia

"We, too, who live in an epoch of greater comfort and possibilities, are called upon to appreciate a sober lifestyle," the pope said.

Celestine V resigned just months after becoming pope in 1294 at age 85. He was later put under guard for fear he would become the rallying point for a schism. Celestine died in 1296 and was declared a saint in 1313.

$Pope Benedict XVI kisses a newborn child from aboard his pope mobile prior to the start of a mass in Sulmona, Italy, Sunday, July 4, 2010. The Pontiff has traveled to the central Italian town to pay homage to Celestine V, the 13th-century hermit pontiff who resigned, saying he was not up to the task. Benedict urged the faithful Sunday to learn from Celestine\'s sober and simple life. He praised Celestine for his detachment from material things such as money and clothes$

Pope Benedict XVI kisses a newborn child from aboard his pope mobile prior to the start of a mass in Sulmona, Italy, Sunday, July 4, 2010. The Pontiff has traveled to the central Italian town to pay homage to Celestine V, the 13th-century hermit pontiff who resigned, saying he was not up to the task. Benedict urged the faithful Sunday to learn from Celestine\'s sober and simple life. He praised Celestine for his detachment from material things such as money and clothes
Photo by Sandro Perozzi

Benedict, at times wiping his forehead, conducted an open-air Mass in hot weather before thousands of faithful in one of Sulmona's main squares.

Pope Benedict XV hugs a faithful during his meeting with youths in Sulmona, Italy, Sunday, July 4, 2010. The Pontiff has traveled to a central Italian town to pay homage to Celestine V, the 13th-century hermit pontiff who resigned, saying he was not up to the task. Benedict urged the faithful Sunday to learn from Celestine's sober and simple life. He praised Celestine for his detachment from material things such as money and clothes.
Photo by Gregorio Borgia

In modern society, Benedict told them, "it seems that every space, every moment must be filled with initiatives, activities, sounds. Often there isn't even the time to listen."

Pope Benedict XVI is helped as he arrives in front of the remains of Celestine V for the celebration of a mass in Sulmona, Italy, Sunday, July 4, 2010. The Pontiff has traveled to a central Italian town to pay homage to Celestine V, the 13th-century hermit pontiff who resigned, saying he was not up to the task. Benedict urged the faithful Sunday to learn from Celestine's sober and simple life. He praised Celestine for his detachment from material things such as money and clothes.
Photo by Sandro Perozzi

"Let's not fear the silence inside and outside of us, if we want to be able to perceive not just the voice of God but also (the voices) of those who are next to us," he said.

The pope also sought to encourage those still suffering from the earthquake that struck this region in April 2009, killing some 300 people. Benedict visited the area soon afterward, praying before the salvaged remains of Celestine.

Pope Benedict XVI touches the child a couple present to him, in front of the remains of Celestine V at the end of a mass in Sulmona, Italy, Sunday, July 4, 2010. The Pontiff has traveled to a central Italian town to pay homage to Celestine V, the 13th-century hermit pontiff who resigned, saying he was not up to the task. Benedict urged the faithful Sunday to learn from Celestine's sober and simple life. He praised Celestine for his detachment from material things such as money and clothes.
Photo by Sandro Perozzi

The sex abuse scandal has shaken the Roman Catholic Church in Europe and beyond, as reports of rape and other sexual abuse of minors in seminars, schools and other church-run institutions have piled up. Victims have come forward accusing priests of abuse and bishops of covering up crimes in order to safeguard the church's name.

Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful during a mass in Sulmona, Italy, Sunday, July 4, 2010. The Pontiff has traveled to a central Italian town to pay homage to Celestine V, the 13th-century hermit pontiff who resigned, saying he was not up to the task. Benedict urged the faithful Sunday to learn from Celestine's sober and simple life. He praised Celestine for his detachment from material things such as money and clothes.
Photo by Gregorio Borgia

Benedict XVI has begged forgiveness from victims and promised to "do everything possible" to protect children.

Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful aboard his popemobile prior to the start of a mass in Sulmona, Italy, Sunday, July 4, 2010. The Pontiff has traveled to a central Italian town to pay homage to Celestine V, the 13th-century hermit pontiff who resigned, saying he was not up to the task. Benedict urged the faithful Sunday to learn from Celestine's sober and simple life. He praised Celestine for his detachment from material things such as money and clothes.
Photo by Sandro Perozzi

The pope also held talks with local bishops and a small group of inmates from the Sulmona jail before heading back to the Vatican.