Pope Benedict XVI greets Bishop Larry Silva during an April 21, 2012, meeting with bishops from California, Nevada, Hawaii and Utah on their “ad limina” visits to the Vatican. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano)
By Bishop Larry Silva
Bishop of Honolulu
It was on May 5, 2005, that I learned I was selected by the newly-elected Pope Benedict XVI to be the new Bishop of Honolulu, although the public announcement was not until May 17. I was one of the first bishops in the world to be named by the new pope. I watched with greater interest, therefore, when pictures appeared in the media of Pope Benedict wearing a maile lei, which had been given to him by the Hawaii delegation attending the May 14 beatification ceremony of now St. Marianne Cope. The “coincidental” connection to him and Hawaii was a blessing I savored.
I first met Pope Benedict in September 2005 at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. I was with about 120 new bishops from throughout the world who were in Rome for a seminar for newly ordained bishops. He gave us a talk, then we each had the opportunity to shake his hand and greet him. I told him I was the Bishop of Honolulu, and he perked up and said, “Oh, Hawaii! Lots of tourists in Hawaii!” I said, “Yes, just like in Rome!” He gave each of us a pectoral cross, which I wear on very special occasions.
In 2009, Father Damien was canonized, and while I had the privilege of being one of the concelebrants at the Mass at which Pope Benedict presided, I was blessed to have met him again the prior Wednesday at the end of the weekly audience. I was able to introduce him to Audrey and Yukio Toguchi, informing him that it was Audrey’s cure from cancer through Father Damien’s intercession that led to his canonization. The Holy Father was very pleased to meet her.
In 2012, Mother Marianne Cope was also canonized by Pope Benedict, and once again I had the opportunity to greet him personally and to concelebrate the Mass with him.
I was privileged to attend World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia and later in Madrid, Spain. At both of these Pope Benedict presided. I was a little bit concerned that he would not be as well accepted as his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, had been. Pope John Paul was a true extrovert, while Pope Benedict was an introvert. Yet Pope Benedict shone with his simplicity and profound thoughts, and he won the hearts of the young people who attended.
In the Spring of 2012, I joined the bishops of our Western USA Region for an “ad limina” visit, which is a periodic visit the bishops make to “headquarters.” Again, I was able to meet Pope Benedict. Our group interaction with him, however, indicated to me that meeting with groups of bishops in such a formal way was not his favorite thing to do, even though he was gracious in doing what he knew was his duty. It reminded me that we are often called to do things we would rather not do, but we do them for the sake of the Lord and out of love for his people. Pope Benedict was a great example of someone who probably wanted to be in the background, but whom the Lord called to be one of the most public figures in the world; and he responded with obedience and fidelity to the Lord.
Of course, the greatest influence Pope Benedict had on me — and probably will continue to have for years to come — were his writings. He had a profound theological depth, yet a simple and deep spirituality that shone forth in his many masterful writings. Although I was shocked and saddened when he resigned the Papacy, I was also moved by his humility in doing so. He realized he no longer had the stamina to do what the Petrine ministry demanded, and he was humble enough to admit this and step out of the way for someone who did have the requisite energy. He was not thinking of himself and the honor of the papacy, but of the flock he had been chosen to tend, putting its needs before his own.
Pope Benedict spent almost 10 years in retirement, praying diligently for the needs of the Church. It is my sincere hope that he also wrote during that time and that these writings will soon be published. I am sure they will be intellectually stimulating and spiritually profound.
May this great man who gave his all to serve the Lord and his Church now enter into his heavenly reward, where he can continue to serve through his prayers and intercession. Requiescat in pace!
