Last month, while I was in Rome, I was able to have a morning audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. I have always wanted to meet the spiritual leader of two billion people so it was a rewarding event. In the afternoon I was invited to take a vegetarian lunch deep inside the heart of the Vatican.
The spiritual experience was only slightly diluted by the presence of 50,000 other people there at the same time. And I was standing at the back. The lunch was in the Vatican cafeteria.
I have always wanted to be in St. Peter’s Square when the Pope gives a blessing. As readers will already know, I like blessings – and who better to bless you than the Holy Father himself?
On this occasion it was 50,000 Germans waving flags and cheering their leader on a balcony who was giving a rousing speech in German. So spiritually invigorating – and ever so slightly chilling at the same time.
I love good oratory, and I like spectacle and music and flag-waving. And when its all combined to honour God’s representative on earth I’m a real sucker.
But I most likely won’t be at any of the events taking place over the next week when the Pope visits Britain – the first Pontiff to do so for 28 years, and the first Pope to come on a state visit. I am very happy for those that will, though. Everyone’s faith needs a boost in these atheistic times, and as the representative of Jesus Christ walks amongst those of flagging faith, you can bet that many will experience a religious re-awakening – and that can only be a good thing.
As Vaishnavas we feel unity with the Pope and his mission, even as we recognize the divergence of theology and approach. In loyal defence of his own tradition, and in keeping with his history as Prefect of the Doctrine of the Faith, he may have relegated other religions as being ‘gravely deficient’ but one of his several titles is ‘Servant of the servants of God’ and we appreciate the humility in that term.
It can’t be easy being the head of the Catholic Church at this point in history. Ravaged by repeated scandal of the worst kind, and unable to placate the numerous victims or accusers, the Church struggles to hold its position of trust. Criticized even by altruists for its unfashionable firmness on religious principles, and relegated by intellectuals as adherents of medieval nonsense, the Church is embattled, but has sufficient genuine spiritual power to survive and prosper.
I wish the Pope well when he arrives in Britain on Thursday.
The Vaishnava Voice 
Dear Prabhu,
You are very generous and kind in your appreciation of the Pope and the catholic church.
I was raised as a Roman Catholic and went to RC primary and secondary schools. By the time myself and almost all my classmates were ready to leave school and venture into the world I can remember that all but a few of us were confirmed atheists. We were so unimpressed with our priests inability to discuss and answer our questions about life and in particular Darwinism that was taught to us in our science classes. I truly think this church has been responsible for creating more atheists than saving souls.
I can recall in secondary school that priests would openly smoke,drink and even tell ‘dirty jokes’ in order to be popular with the youth.They in fact turned us all off.
Recently an Irish cardinal was recalling with great joy how he tasted the best ever beef in his life that was given to him from the Pope’s left overs!
Fortunately I met devotees who were more than capable of answering all my questions and saved my soul.
Yes, I do try to be mainly appreciative in what I write, especially since today’s writing persists for years in cyber space. It is very easy to be harsh or critical and that can have a damaging effect on both those who write it and those who read it.
I think there’s lots that is good in the Catholic Church – as there is in every religious tradition – and there’s even some things that the devotees of ISKCON could learn from it.
Naturally, it would be easy for me to also write about the the things you touch on – and much more. I wasn’t raised as a Catholic (I was a Methodist, which is quite the other end of the Christian rainbow) but if I was, I might have some other recollections to share with readers.
Anyway, I’m glad you wrote of your own experiences; your stories of a Catholic upbringing helped to balance my post. Perhaps I should be blessing those priests for bringing you to Krishna; what a great service they did!
Dear Kripamoya prabhu
Please accept my humble obeisances.
When I read in your post that you had a morning audience with His Holiness the Pope I must say I was not surprised. I was impressed that the Pope might keep such good company.
It seems from talking to devotees that there are significant numbers raised Roman Catholic who go on to devote their lives to Krishna.
I found being educated by Augustinian Friars (from the age of 6 to 18) at a Roman Catholic boarding school gave me lots of questions and then discovering ISKCON gave me lots of answers.
Haribol
Jereme
Thanks for this innovative post..