Papal Visit Challenges Secular Austria

Vienna, Sep. 10, 2007 (CWNews.com) - "Europe cannot and must not deny her Christian roots." That was the message Pope Benedict XVI delivered to members of the diplomatic corps in Vienna, and the theme of his 3-day visit to Austria, September 7-9.

Despite unseasonably cold and rainy weather that kept down attendance at outdoor ceremonies, and despite a sore throat that caused him to speak in a hoarse voice, the Holy Father thoroughly enjoyed his trip, the director of the Vatican press office told Vatican Radio. "The weather was terrible, but the people were attentive and participating," observed Father Federico Lombardi.

The highlight of the Pope's trip came on Saturday, September 8, when he celebrated Mass at the Marian shrine of Mariazell, which is marking its 850th anniversary this year. In his homily, the Pontiff told the 45,000 people who had braved the inclement weather that Christianity can never surrender to the modern climate of skepticism prevailing today in Europe.

"In fact," the Pope said, "our faith is decisively opposed to the attitude of resignation that considers man incapable of truth." That attitude, he observed, "lies at the heart of the crisis of the West, the crisis of Europe."

Christianity cannot re-conquer Europe and the West by force, the Pope cautioned. The power of the faith, he said, "is humble, and yields itself to man only through the inner force of truth." He added: "Truth proves itself in love."

The truth of Christianity gradually took root in the early Church "because there were people in Israel whose hearts were searching-- people who did not rest content with custom," the Pope said. "We too need an open and restless heart," he continued, adding that this sort of spiritual restlessness is what prompts pilgrims to visit shrines such as Mariazell.

On the evening before his trip to the Marian shrine, the Pope had met with Austria's President Heinz Fischer and with members of the diplomatic corps at Vienna's Hofburg Palace. It was in his talk to the diplomats that the Pope insisted: "Europe cannot and must not deny her Christian roots."

Europe today is recovering from decades of painful divisions caused by totalitarian ideologies, the Pope told the political leaders; "yet the goal of unity remains in great part still to be achieved" He traced the source of Europe's difficulties to a lack of fundamental beliefs and principles, and a "degeneration of tolerance into indifference."

Offering a few more specific thoughts on current world affairs, the Pontiff told the diplomats that governments should "regulate and limit globalization so that it will not occur at the expense of the poorer nations nor of the poor in wealthy countries." He insisted that any just government must recognize "the fundamental human right-- the presupposition of every other right-- which is the right to life." And he decried the "birth dearth" in Europe, encouraging government leaders to "favor conditions that will enable young couples to raise children." On Sunday, after his day at Mariazell, the Pope celebrated Mass at the cathedral of St. Stephen in Vienna. In his homily the Pope spoke about observing the Sabbath rest-- not merely as a time of leisure but as a day devoted to God. While leisure itself is desirable, the Pontiff said, "if it lacks an inner focus, an overall sense of direction, then ultimately it becomes wasted time."

After the Sunday Mass the Pope released a letter that he had written to children, saying that he saw them as "young collaborators in the service that the Pope renders to the Church and to the world," and urging them to continue supporting him with their prayers.

On Sunday afternoon, September 9, the Pope visited Heiligenkreuz abbey outside Vienna. Heiligenkreuz, founded in 1135, is the oldest continually active Cistercian monastery in the world, the largest in Europe, and the home of a pontifical theological faculty. The Pope told Abbot Gregor Henckel Donnersmack and his monks, "Your primary service to this world must be our prayer and your celebration of the Divine Office."

Recognizing the role that monks have played in the development of the Catholic liturgy, the Pope reminded them "to celebrate the sacred liturgy with your gaze fixed on God within the communion of saints, the living Church of every time and place." He cautioned them: "Whenever we are only concerned with making the liturgy attractive or interesting or beautiful, the battle is already lost."

In a final appearance on Sunday evening at the Wiener Konzerthaus, where he addressed members of civic and humanitarian groups, the Pope praised volunteerism. "Love of neighbor always demands a voluntary personal commitment," he said; "and of course the state should provide the conditions which make this possible."

Pope Benedict left Vienna at 8:15 on Sunday evening, flying to Rome's Ciampino airport and continuing to the summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.

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