Benedict strives to escape John Paul's shadow

Stephen Weeke Producer • E-mail

NEW YORK - For those watching Pope Benedict’s ways and words this week through the memory of John Paul’s oversized magnetism, the key question may well be one of relevance: How much does a self-effacing, old European pontiff really matter to modern America?

More than one might think, some analysts suggest, provided Benedict is able to get Americans to really listen to him.

Most non-Catholic Americans know little about the German Jozef Ratzinger, who was elected three years ago this week, as successor to the world-famous Polish pontiff who reigned for more than a quarter century. Indeed, 63 percent of American Catholic respondents in a recent Pew Research Center poll admitted knowing “little” or “nothing” about Benedict, but 74 percent still maintain a favorable opinion of him.  

For Americans who were familiar with John Paul, the differences in style will be evident.

“It will be noticed right away that Benedict doesn't kiss the ground,” said veteran Reuters Vatican correspondent Phil Pullella, referring to John Paul’s dramatic tradition upon arriving in a country for the first time as pope.

“It will be noticed, but also appreciated in a sense, that Benedict doesn't want attention on himself,” said Pullella. He added that because of his almost monotone delivery, Benedict will probably be received by his American audience as more of a “professorial father-knows-best” speaker as opposed to the showman that was John Paul.   

But for those who are patient enough to listen carefully to his speeches, or to read along the text itself, there will be great pleasure in observing an intelligent mind expressing itself in clear and simple logic.

True talent – simplifying complex theories
As a university professor and a sharp theologian, Benedict has matched wits with some of the greatest minds in the 20th century, both believers and non-believers alike, and left many of them in awe of his intellect. His true talent, however, lies in the ability to simplify even the highest of concepts down to language even children can understand.

He made that skill public in a meeting with a group of Italian children at the Vatican a few months after he became pope, when a boy asked how Jesus could be present in the Eucharist if he “couldn’t see him?”

Benedict explained there were many “essential things” that were invisible. “We can’t see electric current but we know that it exists, because we see the lights.” It’s the same case with Jesus, he said, whose presence is “visible where people show a greater capacity for peace and forgiveness.”

So, in his quiet way, Benedict’s biggest challenge may be getting his American audience to listen to his words, rather than judging him by his gestures.

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