Benedict XVI 7th-oldest Pope in history. July 20, 2010. On July 19, 2010, Benedict XVI passed Gregory XIII to become the seventh-oldest pope in history. Benedict XVI turned 83 years, 3 months and 4 …More
Benedict XVI 7th-oldest Pope in history.
July 20, 2010. On July 19, 2010, Benedict XVI passed Gregory XIII to become the seventh-oldest pope in history. Benedict XVI turned 83 years, 3 months and 4 days old.
The sixth-oldest pope was John Paul II, living 84 years, 10 months and 15 days. Benedict XVI would pass John Paul II on February 29, 2012, a leap day.
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July 20, 2010. On July 19, 2010, Benedict XVI passed Gregory XIII to become the seventh-oldest pope in history. Benedict XVI turned 83 years, 3 months and 4 days old.
The sixth-oldest pope was John Paul II, living 84 years, 10 months and 15 days. Benedict XVI would pass John Paul II on February 29, 2012, a leap day.
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BARCELONA, Spain, JULY 20, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's visit to the Church of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is a message to the world of the transcendent meaning of Antoni Gaudi's famed church, says Joan Rigol of the Sagrada Familia Foundation.
The Pontiff will visit Santiago de Compostela on Nov. 6 for the Jacobeo Holy Year, and go to Barcelona the next day to consecrate the religious …More
BARCELONA, Spain, JULY 20, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's visit to the Church of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is a message to the world of the transcendent meaning of Antoni Gaudi's famed church, says Joan Rigol of the Sagrada Familia Foundation.
The Pontiff will visit Santiago de Compostela on Nov. 6 for the Jacobeo Holy Year, and go to Barcelona the next day to consecrate the religious monument that has been declared patrimony of humanity. Construction on the church began in 1882, and it is expected to be completed by 2026. A portion of the building's interior, however, is set to be opened this year.
In this interview with ZENIT, Rigol explains the details of the preparation for the papal visit, as well as the construction of a train tunnel near the church that could threaten the structure.
ZENIT: What is the significance of Benedict XVI's visit to the church?
Rigol: For us this signifies an ecclesial dimension seeing from the highest point of its representation, which is the Pope, and above all it indicates the universal projection of the Holy Family in the Christian realm.
The message of the Holy Family, through architecture and culture, is a transcendent message: a call to universal fraternity.
This central message of Christianity -- of treating all persons as brothers and sisters -- should at the same time be projected to persons that do not have this sense of faith, but who also feel solidaristic in universal fraternity.
The Pope's coming confirms this message at the world level from the cultural and artistic point of view, especially the call to universal fraternity.
ZENIT: How are you preparing for this event?
Rigol: First, we are now completing the interior of the church, which follows the guidelines and definition that Gaudi made of the interior; he left a very precise model of how he saw the interior.
Probably at the end of July everything will be ready to await the coming of the Pope on Nov. 7, so much from the material point of view.
In addition, we are appealing to Christians to receive the Pope. The archbishop of the diocese and the commission he has created are in charge of this aspect.
Because the coming of the Pope is not centered solely and exclusively on the Holy Family, but is also a meeting of Christians that live in Barcelona, in Catalonia and in Spain.
A trip of this kind has its organizational complexities and all of us are working intensely on this.
ZENIT: Do you know what authorities will be present at the ceremony of the blessing of the church?
Rigol: We are being given information on this, but still at a somewhat formal level. The official information will come at the appointed time, which I estimate will be in September.
The monarchs of Spain have already announced their intention to be at the Sagrada Familia Church, and we know it is the desire of the government of Spain and of the authorities of Catalonia. What cannot be specified is the exact name of the persons who will attend.
ZENIT: How many people do you expect that day in the Holy Family Church and its surroundings?
Rigol: I am not able to give these figures yet. However, inside the church there is room for between 7,500 and 8,500 people, depending on the degree of security that we give at the entrances and exists, which must be the highest.
Around the church there will be a device so that people will be able to follow the ceremony from the surroundings of the building.
We don't know how many people can come, but we are preparing for many.
We are organizing it so that those who wish to follow the ceremony up close can be placed in the best possible position.
There is a building very close to the church's main facade, but there are also two very large squares and an intersection of important avenues, so that there is considerable space for people.
ZENIT: At what stage are the work on Sagrada Familia?
Rigol: There will be some details to be attended to in the interior, because the works create dust. In this connection, we have reserved August to do some things, such as getting the organ ready, which must be done at a time when nothing is being built inside because silence is needed.
Once the interior is finished and the church is open for its specific functions, the building of the Holy Family will continue according to Gaudi's plan, and this could take between 15 to 20 years.
Yet to be built are the towers of the evangelists, the main tower, which will be 172 meters (564 feet) high and the four buildings of the nave, one on each side, where the sacristies and chapels of the Most Blessed Sacrament will be located. This is a project for the future generation.
Between the towers of the four evangelists and of Jesus Christ will be the tower of the Virgin, which will be higher than that of the evangelists but lower than that of Jesus Christ. The towers of the evangelists are already being built.
ZENIT: In what way is the construction of a tunnel near the church, through which a high-speed train will pass, affecting or might affect the structure?
Rigol: We have technical studies of very qualified people that state that the AVE's project entails risks, mainly in two great areas.
First, the basement of the Holy Family is a geologically complicated terrain, and a transformation of the terrain could be generated that in the long run might mean a very significant movement for Gaudi's project, which is one of great litheness and height.
Second, the vibrations that might be transported and that on reaching 172 meters height might mean a risk.
Given the risk of this project, we have thought of two possibilities: In the first place, to try to speak with the administration, but we have not been able to agree on what we consider a risk.
The Pontiff will visit Santiago de Compostela on Nov. 6 for the Jacobeo Holy Year, and go to Barcelona the next day to consecrate the religious monument that has been declared patrimony of humanity. Construction on the church began in 1882, and it is expected to be completed by 2026. A portion of the building's interior, however, is set to be opened this year.
In this interview with ZENIT, Rigol explains the details of the preparation for the papal visit, as well as the construction of a train tunnel near the church that could threaten the structure.
ZENIT: What is the significance of Benedict XVI's visit to the church?
Rigol: For us this signifies an ecclesial dimension seeing from the highest point of its representation, which is the Pope, and above all it indicates the universal projection of the Holy Family in the Christian realm.
The message of the Holy Family, through architecture and culture, is a transcendent message: a call to universal fraternity.
This central message of Christianity -- of treating all persons as brothers and sisters -- should at the same time be projected to persons that do not have this sense of faith, but who also feel solidaristic in universal fraternity.
The Pope's coming confirms this message at the world level from the cultural and artistic point of view, especially the call to universal fraternity.
ZENIT: How are you preparing for this event?
Rigol: First, we are now completing the interior of the church, which follows the guidelines and definition that Gaudi made of the interior; he left a very precise model of how he saw the interior.
Probably at the end of July everything will be ready to await the coming of the Pope on Nov. 7, so much from the material point of view.
In addition, we are appealing to Christians to receive the Pope. The archbishop of the diocese and the commission he has created are in charge of this aspect.
Because the coming of the Pope is not centered solely and exclusively on the Holy Family, but is also a meeting of Christians that live in Barcelona, in Catalonia and in Spain.
A trip of this kind has its organizational complexities and all of us are working intensely on this.
ZENIT: Do you know what authorities will be present at the ceremony of the blessing of the church?
Rigol: We are being given information on this, but still at a somewhat formal level. The official information will come at the appointed time, which I estimate will be in September.
The monarchs of Spain have already announced their intention to be at the Sagrada Familia Church, and we know it is the desire of the government of Spain and of the authorities of Catalonia. What cannot be specified is the exact name of the persons who will attend.
ZENIT: How many people do you expect that day in the Holy Family Church and its surroundings?
Rigol: I am not able to give these figures yet. However, inside the church there is room for between 7,500 and 8,500 people, depending on the degree of security that we give at the entrances and exists, which must be the highest.
Around the church there will be a device so that people will be able to follow the ceremony from the surroundings of the building.
We don't know how many people can come, but we are preparing for many.
We are organizing it so that those who wish to follow the ceremony up close can be placed in the best possible position.
There is a building very close to the church's main facade, but there are also two very large squares and an intersection of important avenues, so that there is considerable space for people.
ZENIT: At what stage are the work on Sagrada Familia?
Rigol: There will be some details to be attended to in the interior, because the works create dust. In this connection, we have reserved August to do some things, such as getting the organ ready, which must be done at a time when nothing is being built inside because silence is needed.
Once the interior is finished and the church is open for its specific functions, the building of the Holy Family will continue according to Gaudi's plan, and this could take between 15 to 20 years.
Yet to be built are the towers of the evangelists, the main tower, which will be 172 meters (564 feet) high and the four buildings of the nave, one on each side, where the sacristies and chapels of the Most Blessed Sacrament will be located. This is a project for the future generation.
Between the towers of the four evangelists and of Jesus Christ will be the tower of the Virgin, which will be higher than that of the evangelists but lower than that of Jesus Christ. The towers of the evangelists are already being built.
ZENIT: In what way is the construction of a tunnel near the church, through which a high-speed train will pass, affecting or might affect the structure?
Rigol: We have technical studies of very qualified people that state that the AVE's project entails risks, mainly in two great areas.
First, the basement of the Holy Family is a geologically complicated terrain, and a transformation of the terrain could be generated that in the long run might mean a very significant movement for Gaudi's project, which is one of great litheness and height.
Second, the vibrations that might be transported and that on reaching 172 meters height might mean a risk.
Given the risk of this project, we have thought of two possibilities: In the first place, to try to speak with the administration, but we have not been able to agree on what we consider a risk.
2 more comments from Irapuato
www.ncregister.com/blog/is-the-pope-in-danger
by Matthew Archbold
I’ve been saying recently that Pope Benedict XVI is heading into enemy territory in “Post-Christian” England. Sadly, I may be more right than I imagined.
A member of British Parliament says he fears violence at an open air mass with Pope Benedict XVI after an Islamic publication called Muslims to attend the Mass to convert Catholics …More
www.ncregister.com/blog/is-the-pope-in-danger
by Matthew Archbold
I’ve been saying recently that Pope Benedict XVI is heading into enemy territory in “Post-Christian” England. Sadly, I may be more right than I imagined.
A member of British Parliament says he fears violence at an open air mass with Pope Benedict XVI after an Islamic publication called Muslims to attend the Mass to convert Catholics and “tell the Pope in no uncertain terms what Muslims think of his evil slanders against the last Prophet of God and his message.”
I think it’s the “in no uncertain terms” that’s making some a little nervous. Oh, the same publication also called the Pope “evil.”
The Islamic Standard writes:
“A change of venue gives Birmingham Muslims a chance to tell the Pope just what they think of him after his insults against the Prophet Muhammad… As well as this chance to challenge these evil words of this evil Pope, over 80,000 Catholics from all over the UK are also expected to attend the open air ceremony….We hope Muslims can be there to meet him as well and to also call people away from the shirk of worshipping the dead like the Catholics do, calling out to them for help and intercession…The Birmingham event however brings the pope and who worship him into direct contact with the the large Muslim population of Birmingham and offers them the perfect chance to learn about Islam and for the Muslims to forbid the Munkar of worshipping dead men and following the dictates of the sodomite child molesting Church of Rome…
We at the Islamic Standard hope the Muslims of Birmingham take this duel opportunity to give Da’wah to these 80,000 travelling disbelievers, whilst at the same time telling the Pope in no uncertain terms what Muslims think of his evil slanders against the last Prophet of God and his message.
MP Khalid Mahmood fears that this call may be an incitement to violence. He’‘s quoted in British newspapers saying: “These supposed Muslims are doing all they can to incite violence. Sadly, if Muslims do turn up and preach at Catholics it could easily turn to violence…The police should look at the comments on this site because they can only serve to increase tensions and perhaps even cause riots on the day.”
This news is especially worrisome in that, according to YNET news,: eight residents of the northern city of Nazareth were arrested on weapons charges and discussing murdering Jews, soldiers, and the Pope.
Let’s hope and pray that all turns out well for Pope Benedict XVI in England.
Anyone else starting to think that “Post-Christian Europe” might actually mean “Anti-Christan Europe?”
by Matthew Archbold
I’ve been saying recently that Pope Benedict XVI is heading into enemy territory in “Post-Christian” England. Sadly, I may be more right than I imagined.
A member of British Parliament says he fears violence at an open air mass with Pope Benedict XVI after an Islamic publication called Muslims to attend the Mass to convert Catholics and “tell the Pope in no uncertain terms what Muslims think of his evil slanders against the last Prophet of God and his message.”
I think it’s the “in no uncertain terms” that’s making some a little nervous. Oh, the same publication also called the Pope “evil.”
The Islamic Standard writes:
“A change of venue gives Birmingham Muslims a chance to tell the Pope just what they think of him after his insults against the Prophet Muhammad… As well as this chance to challenge these evil words of this evil Pope, over 80,000 Catholics from all over the UK are also expected to attend the open air ceremony….We hope Muslims can be there to meet him as well and to also call people away from the shirk of worshipping the dead like the Catholics do, calling out to them for help and intercession…The Birmingham event however brings the pope and who worship him into direct contact with the the large Muslim population of Birmingham and offers them the perfect chance to learn about Islam and for the Muslims to forbid the Munkar of worshipping dead men and following the dictates of the sodomite child molesting Church of Rome…
We at the Islamic Standard hope the Muslims of Birmingham take this duel opportunity to give Da’wah to these 80,000 travelling disbelievers, whilst at the same time telling the Pope in no uncertain terms what Muslims think of his evil slanders against the last Prophet of God and his message.
MP Khalid Mahmood fears that this call may be an incitement to violence. He’‘s quoted in British newspapers saying: “These supposed Muslims are doing all they can to incite violence. Sadly, if Muslims do turn up and preach at Catholics it could easily turn to violence…The police should look at the comments on this site because they can only serve to increase tensions and perhaps even cause riots on the day.”
This news is especially worrisome in that, according to YNET news,: eight residents of the northern city of Nazareth were arrested on weapons charges and discussing murdering Jews, soldiers, and the Pope.
Let’s hope and pray that all turns out well for Pope Benedict XVI in England.
Anyone else starting to think that “Post-Christian Europe” might actually mean “Anti-Christan Europe?”
July 20, 2010. On July 19, 2010, Benedict XVI passed Gregory XIII to become the seventh-oldest pope in history. Benedict XVI turned 83 years, 3 months and 4 days old.
The sixth-oldest pope was John Paul II, living 84 years, 10 months and 15 days. Benedict XVI would pass John Paul II on February 29, 2012, a leap day.
The oldest pope dating back to 1400 was Pope Leo XIII, who lived to 93 years, 4 …More
July 20, 2010. On July 19, 2010, Benedict XVI passed Gregory XIII to become the seventh-oldest pope in history. Benedict XVI turned 83 years, 3 months and 4 days old.
The sixth-oldest pope was John Paul II, living 84 years, 10 months and 15 days. Benedict XVI would pass John Paul II on February 29, 2012, a leap day.
The oldest pope dating back to 1400 was Pope Leo XIII, who lived to 93 years, 4 months and 18 days. Benedict XVI will have to live to September 3, 2020 to surpass Leo XIII.
RC
pp
-WP-
The sixth-oldest pope was John Paul II, living 84 years, 10 months and 15 days. Benedict XVI would pass John Paul II on February 29, 2012, a leap day.
The oldest pope dating back to 1400 was Pope Leo XIII, who lived to 93 years, 4 months and 18 days. Benedict XVI will have to live to September 3, 2020 to surpass Leo XIII.
RC
pp
-WP-