He Spoke With Me!...

This morning, myself and Fr Stanley together with a Sebastian Ang went with Bishop Cornelius Sim to have an audience with Pope Benedict XVI.

This was on the occasion of the ad limina visit of the South East Asian Bishops (which ends today). The text of the Pope's speech and address to the bishops is here. One thing that came out rather significantly from that speech was the Holy Father's reminder to our SEA Bishops to care and look after their priests: "I would encourage you to show particular concern for your priests".

I got to approach the Holy Father, shook his hands and kissed his ring as we exchange a few words of salutations. Fr Stanley had the privilege to use his German he learned last summer as he greeted the Pope in his own language, which delighted the Holy Father who replied in similar fashion. We couldn't take any photos there as they provided the papal photographers to do the job, as can be seen at the website.

To hear and see the Holy Father through the media is certainly not the same as seeing and meeting him in real person!...

What a day!