Pope is not creator of the faith, but custodian of the Gospel

The solemn Mass to commemorate the third anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI was celebrated yesterday (Apr 24, 2008) in the Cathedral of Ss Vitus, Wenceslas and Adalbert in Prague. Archbishop Diego Causero, apostolic nuncio to the Czech Republic, presided over the service. His speech and some photos are enclosed to the article.

Prague: Among those who accepted the invitation of the apostolic nuncio were representatives of various Christian Churches, civil authorities, members of diplomatic corps, priests, deacons, and men and women religious. In his homily, Bishop Frantisek Radkovsky of Plzen summarized Pope Benedict XVI's three-year pontificate and recalled his words said during the inauguration (Apr 24, 2005): 'The essential characteristic of a pastor is to love those who were entrusted to him.' The solemn atmosphere was underlined by the Prague Cathedral Choir.

Concluding the Mass, Archbishop Diego Causero expressed his thanks to all who had come for their presence that shows their devotion to the Holy Father. 'As a Pope, Benedict XVI speaks much more of love than theology, of personal engagement rather than science; he suggests we should dedicate more time to prayer and less to debates,' he said and called on the Catholics to 'look up to the Crucified Lord, rather than dispute on theological opinions.' He also stressed that 'the Church is expected, even in the middle of human weakness and error, to guard, in obedience and veneration, the Gospel Christ has entrusted to her.' He then added: 'The Pope is not the creator of the faith, but the custodian of the Gospel.'