Ad Multos Annos!

As he was mobbed by Bavarian well-wishers on the occasion of his 85th birthday celebrations, Pope Benedict XVI today said,

I find myself on the last stretch of my journey in life, and I don’t know what is awaiting me.

I know, however, that the light of God exists, that he is risen, that his light is stronger than any darkness and that God’s goodness is stronger than any evil in this world, and this helps me go forward with certainty.

(source)

Benedict XVI is one of the oldest Popes on record, though he still has a long way to go to catch up with Pope Leo XIII, who made it to 93. He does seem more frail these days, though he still appears in pretty good shape. Must be all that walking he does!

I read a charming little anecdote about the two elderly brothers Ratzinger this morning. Apparently, whenever his older brother visits him, the Pope prays the breviary with him aloud, as Msgr. George Ratzinger’s eyesight has gotten bad enough that he cannot read the print.

The retired Monsignor now lives in the Bavarian house purchased by his brother the Pope, when he still thought he would be allowed to retire.

The Pope asked people to pray for him, “that the Lord give me the strength to accomplish the mission he entrusted in me”.

Why don’t you do so now? The traditional prayer for the Pope may be found here.

Edited to add: fulltext translation by Rorate.

The day on which I was baptized, as I said, was Holy Saturday. At that time [1927], the practice was still that of anticipating Easter Vigil on the morning, after which the gloom of Holy Saturday continued, without the Alleluia. It seems to me that this peculiar paradox, this peculiar anticipation of the light in a dark day, could be almost an image of history in our time. On one hand, there is still the silence of God and of his absence, but, in the Resurrection of Christ, there is already the anticipation of God’s “yes”, and, we live based on this anticipation, and, through the silence of God, we feel his words, and, through the darkness of his absence, we foresee his light. The anticipation of the Resurrection amidst a history that goes on is the strength that shows us the path and helps us move forward.

We thank the good God because he has given us this light and we ask him that it may remain with us always. And on this day I have reason to thank Him and all those who once again have made me realize the presence of the Lord, who have stayed with me so that I would not lose the light.

I find myself before the last stage of my life’s path, and I do not know what awaits me. I do know, however, that the light of God is here, that He is risen, that his light is stronger than any darkness; that the goodness of God is stronger than any evil in this world. And this helps me to go forward in safety. It helps us to move forward and, at this moment, I thank from the bottom of my heart all those who continuously make me perceive God’s “yes” through their own faith.