Benedict and Ground Zero

For me, the most moving image of the papal visit thus far was watching Pope Benedict XVI leave the popemobile to walk, gravely and unassumingly, down the ramp at Ground Zero, to pray, bless the ground and meet with survivors and family members.

He walked, all in papal white, wearing a light coat against the damp wind, arms to his side, his face solemn, and the world was quiet. And that image – at that instant – seemed earthshaking: the man Peter walking down into that terrible pit of pain – a place ruined by hate, but also redeemed by hope and heroism. It was maddening trying to find a news broadcast that managed to stop talking, but finally there was silence:

God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred.

God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.
— Benedict XVI at Ground Zero

I was struck to see, each time someone moved to kneel before him, Benedict put his hand under his/her right elbow, discouraging the genuflection. He came down, he saw and blessed; he met with families and then…he left…without fanfare, having done the only thing he could do; shared Christ in grief and prayer.

There was a humility and a sense of his respect for the ground and the families. It gave me chills. Benedict’s humility instructs. I am so glad he came.