Vatican: Faith Still Alive in France

"Those who spoke of the difficulties of the French Church found in the Pope an injection of confidence" that "when there is a return to faith, difficult situations can be faced."

VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - Benedict XVI's four-day trip to Paris and Lourdes was "very positive" and revealed that the faith is alive in France, reported a Vatican spokesman.

Jesuit Father Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, said today that the Pontiff "was able to give his message, both for the Church as well as the society, with serenity."

The Vatican spokesman commented that this trip was in the context "of the series of trips," beginning with the United States in April and Australia in July, in which the Vatican has noted a very "willing and open reception without prejudices." He also highlighted "great and attentive participation" at the events presided over by Benedict XVI "that has demonstrated that also in [Paris] the Church is alive and bearer of the testimony of faith."

The Holy Father arrived in Paris on Friday, and met with political, religious and cultural leaders before meeting with France's youth in front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. On Saturday the Holy Father celebrated a Mass at the Esplanade des Invalides, which was attended by 260,000 people.He traveled to Lourdes in the afternoon to participate in the celebrations surrounding the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady to St. Bernadette Soubirous.

In Lourdes the Pope visited all the stages of the Jubilee Way: the parish church where Bernadette was baptized, the abandoned prison known as the "Cachot" where the Soubirous family lived, the grotto of the apparitions and hospital oratory where Bernadette made her first Communion.The Pontiff celebrated two Masses in Lourdes. Some 190,000 pilgrims attended the Sunday Mass in the prairie that marked the 150th anniversary of the Marian apparitions, and some 70,000 people participated in today's Mass for the sick at Rosary Square.

Secularism

In regard to the question of secularism, which sparked so many debates before the visit in and outside of France, the Jesuit priest explained that, in fact, "it was to a degree the sign under which the visit began, with the meeting at the Élysée [Palace]."Father Lombardi noted the "serene, constructive climate" that existed, "with the capacity to dialogue in order to cooperate with the various Church and state institutions that contribute to the common good of the citizens." In regard to the celebrations in Lourdes, the Holy See spokesman pointed out the topics addressed by the Pope, but especially "the topic of Mary's smile," and how she "receives and spreads joy and serenity in the lives of those who suffer."

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"I think that the topic of Mary's smile and of hope was almost the natural conclusion of this trip, which indicates the great treasure the Church has of being able to assist in discovering the meaning of life, even in the most difficult situations," he added.Finally, Father Lombardi referred to the Pope's meeting with French bishops, to whom he "gave guidance on the problems of the Church in French society: the lack of vocations and priests, the problems of the family, of the ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, the problems of dialogue with society."

"He did so with great serenity and constructiveness, so that those who spoke of the difficulties of the French Church found in the Pope an injection of confidence, given that when there is a return to the sources of Christian spirituality, of faith, difficult situations can be faced."
Father Lombardi also pointed out that Benedict XVI's address to the world of culture at the Collčge des Bernardins was one of "rich and precious content."

"The Pope made it be seen very clearly how," he said, "beginning from the search for God, from the religious life, that many dimensions of culture, literature, art, music, the interpretation of texts, of practical industry, etc. have developed, dimensions that are absolutely fundamental of our European culture."