A “great theologian”, a “humble and discreet man” who had the “courage” to leave office. On the square in front of the Saint-Saturnin church in the town center of Antony (Hauts-de-Seine), the same words come out of the mouths of the Catholics present at the first Mass of the first day of the year. A notable figure, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died on Saturday December 31, may not inspire the same affection as John Paul II or Francis, but he seems to have shaped these faithful with his simplicity and the strength of his thinking .
“Deepness of the Writings He Leaves Us”
“His legacy is the depth of the writings he left us,” said Michel Marguet, deacon. Although few of them have studied his encyclicals or his works, many of Antony’s parishioners praise a “teaching” pope. “He wanted to balance faith and reason,” affirms Marie-Laure, who “deplores the contrast between the man he was and the cartoonish image that was sent back to him”.
However, he remains divided, between Patrick, who thinks he is too “traditional”, Hélène, who sees herself more closely related to the generation of John Paul II – the Pope of his youth – and another parishioner who believes Benedict XVI. Pope Francis clearly prefers.
In the parishes, the homage to the Pope Emeritus takes place in his image, without exuberance. During the 11 o’clock mass in a full church, his death is briefly mentioned twice, despite the night before. At the beginning of the celebration, Father Olivier Lebouteux, parish priest of Saint-Saturnin in Antony, invites us to give thanks “for everything he leaves behind”.
Manifest the unity of the Church
At the same time, a candlelit portrait of Benedict XVI was found in Chartres Cathedral (Eure-et-Loir). placed next to the altar. In the square, Thérèse, in her thirties, accompanied by her two little girls, greets the Pope who “liberalised the traditional Mass”: “I am grateful to him. “He wanted to bring everyone together and stop the divisions,” she says. He was passionate about manifesting the unity of the church. »
“Touched” by this “great thinker and theologian”, Pascale, 72, regrets that “many did not understand his thoughts”. This may have introduced distance. So a man leans on the question about Benoit XVI. politely: “I don’t have enough to say, I’m not cultured enough. »
“I was at the World Youth Days in Cologne (Germany) in 2005, says Paul, about forty years old. I remember his teachings and even a sermon in which he compared the revolution Jesus is bringing to the world to nuclear fission. Something invisible and discreet that then spreads deep into the world. »
Confused, like many others, by his renunciation, this artist, who has his stained glass workshop near the cathedral, recalls a Pope who “supported us against an idea of the world that leads nowhere”. “He was determined to tell the truth,” he said. A feeling that not everyone shares. “He wasn’t a pope that I particularly liked,” confided an elderly parishioner as she exited the cathedral.
In the small town of Aigueperse (Puy-de-Dôme), between Vichy and Clermont-Ferrand, Arnaud, 52, feels discreet emotions, particularly remembering the very important visit of Benedict XVI. in France in 2008: “I took my children there, see him at the Invalides. He had a good life and I want to say: mission accomplished! “, he believes. “It was not so easy to follow John Paul II. »
“I was very touched that he turned to the Society of St. Pius X, even if it didn’t work out. This topic shows his interest in France and that touches me,” he adds.
A “strong presence full of humility”
Marc-André, 70, will keep him, the theologian. “His writing was so crisp and clear that one had the impression that one could easily rise to a certain intellectual height. »
Elisabeth, 90, also belongs to this line. “I really liked that Pope!” she exclaimed. I was particularly impressed by his personality. I found it soothing, tender. He wasn’t flamboyant, but just to see him you felt this strong presence, full of humility. »
But as elsewhere, the proximity to the former pope emeritus varies depending on the ecclesiastical sensibilities of the Catholics. For example, Edith, 47, “does not really recognize himself in the pontificate of Benedict XVI”, which for her represents “the tradition”. She says she’s “closer to current pop lob.” “I see myself more in Pope Francis, his joy in the Gospel, his way of reaching out to the poor…” she explains.
Further east, in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin), a mass is held in the Sainte-Madeleine church in the city center on this New Year’s Day by a small committee. The ten parishioners gathered at the end of the Mass also commemorate the legacy of Benedict XVI, described by Alexis as a “bulwark of faith”.
Another parishioner, who mentions “an unjustly criticized pope,” commends his great work “in solidifying the principles and message of the church in a world that’s going in all directions.” Mathias appreciates how the church deals with sexual abuse: “He did this work of transparency and we have to pay tribute to him. »
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