My blog title’s famous Latin phrase, meaning “I came, I saw, I conquered”, is built on words attributed to Julius Caesar, at the end of a victorious battle, in Turkey, (BC 47).  This year, well over 2,000 years later, they were to be used again by a former Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, to describe the humble, gentle, pilgrim Pope, Benedict XVI, on his recent four-day ‘State Visit’ to Britain. The manifestly humble ways, and wise words of the Pope, won over multitudes of the British people, and so this phrase should not, in any way, be seen as giving glory to the Pope himself; rather, the glory must be given to the Lord, whom the Pope represents as the Vicar of Christ on earth – in major contrast, and diametrically opposed to – the ways of Julius Caesar, who attributed all his successes, in war (and elsewhere) to himself.  But one may ask the simple questions: “Why did so many people go out onto the streets; why did many millions watch on Television?” The answer lies with the understanding that the Papacy is, truly, a presence of God in our world.  Jesus is THE revelation of God, and if people reviled and rejected HIM, it is not so surprising that a small minority did the same when Pope Benedict came to visit.

CHRIST AS A HUMBLE, GENTLE LEADER – TAPESTRY, ST. MARY’S CHAPEL, TWICKENHAM

The phrase, ‘I came, I saw, I conquered’, was used by Sean Lovett, a perspicacious journalist, whose words I have followed, frequently and with much interest. He works for the Vatican Radio, and invariably accompanies popes who are wont to travel.  In April 2008, when Pope Benedict went to the United States, I well remember his words describing the Pope as having won the hearts and minds of the American people; ultimately, they fell ‘in love’ with him, and did not want to let him ‘go’. Similarly, in May 2009, Pope Benedict visited the Holy Land, and Sean described the joy and hope the visit gave, especially to the Palestinian people – to the tiny minority of Christians and the many Moslems – together with their wonderfully warm welcome to the Pope.  He went on to explain that the Pope also won the hearts of those Jews open to dialogue, love and reason, for he prayed at length, and silently, at the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, and said “May the names of these victims never perish! May their suffering never be denied, belittled or forgotten! And may all people of goodwill remain vigilant in rooting out from the hearts of people anything that could lead to tragedies such as this!”

I doubt if many readers of this blog will have read what Sean said about the Pope’s visit to Britain, and so I now reproduce a substantial section of his very telling words:

THE SECRET OF SUCCESS Reflection on the Pope’s visit

Pope Benedict XVIth’s four-day visit to Great Britain has ended. Sean Patrick Lovett looks back to trip and draws his conclusions…

“He came, he saw, he conquered”. No, not Julius Caesar – Benedict XVI.

And, no, I didn’t say that about him – a former Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury did. Even if I couldn’t think of a better way to describe one of the most anxiously anticipated papal visits ever, to anywhere.

So, it’s official: Benedict XVI’s state visit to the United Kingdom has been universally judged a “success” (the papal spokesman used the word “wonderful”). Before you say “I told you so”, remember that its success wouldn’t be news at all if it weren’t for the fact that, up until only a few days ago, a significant number of highly-placed-people-in-the-know (both in London and in Rome) were convinced it was going to be a disaster.

Their trepidation was largely based on a barrage of nasty news stories and the very vociferous protests of several anti-Catholic individuals and groups. What made these voices different from similar protests in the past was that they were so loud and insistent they gave the impression they were reflecting the views of the “silent majority” of people living in the United Kingdom. Conclusion: the Pope wasn’t welcome, no one cared, at worst he’d be insulted, at best he’d be ignored.

Now we know that’s not what happened. When did what was going to go so terribly wrong, start to go so terrifically right? Sociologists, psychologists and spin-doctors will undoubtedly have their own versions but, personally, I think the success of this trip is the result of a perfect fusion of content and form. Let me explain. On the one hand it was a truly historic event: there was pomp and ceremony, pageantry and colour – and everyone loves a good show. On the other there was the surprise effect of Benedict himself. Contrary to popular preconceptions, he was warm, gentle, and authentic. Here was someone who wasn‘t doing and saying all the things that politicians and celebrities usually do and say. Nowhere did he use a big stick to chastise and condemn, nor did he grumble and lecture. Everything he did say appealed to a spirit of shared values and to good old common sense – and that’s something the British understand and appreciate. Not just the country’s 6 million Catholics, but its 60 million citizens of all faiths, and none at all.

Over recent days, it has been fascinating to talk to many people among our Catholic community about the visit. Almost all have been – and still are – deeply moved by the Holy Father’s presence among us: one of my friends, a priest, who gives the impression of being a tough and unfeeling man, told me that, as he was watching on Television, he could not suppress a small tear, at the joy and beauty of what was taking place. I experienced many similar moments – on several different occasions. Whilst waiting for Pope Benedict’s arrival in St. Mary’s Chapel, Twickenham, with many other religious, the sense of expectancy was tangible. The photograph, below, shows some of those present, on that occasion, and the Pope walking through our midst.

THE POPE AT ST. MARY’S CHAPEL, TWICKENHAM

Immediately afterwards, the Pope attended the ‘Big Assembly’ and the following photograph pictures, perfectly, the sense of sheer joy and exuberance shown by the school children.

CHILDREN AT THE BIG ASSEMBLY TWICKENHAM 

On Friday afternoon, 17 September, the Pope experienced a ‘Trinity’ of events very much connected with the English “Establishment”, firstly, at Lambeth Palace, the London home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, secondly, at the iconic Westminster Hall, that ancient and historic edifice within the Palace of Westminster, (or Houses of Parliament), and, lastly, at Westminster Abbey, the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster. On all three occasions, Pope Benedict, with his natural humility, charm and with seemingly effortless ease, won over the ‘audiences’ at the three different ‘State’ venues.  His presence, and address, in Westminster Hall, were applauded to the echo, by no less than five, past and present prime ministers, by parliamentarians, members of the legal profession and many, many notorieties – ‘top’ people from the ‘Establishment’. Indeed, it was very touching – very moving – to sit and watch, then to ponder, and inwardly digest, history in the making. Quite spontaneously, someone remarked to me, it was as if the ‘Reformation’, with all its sad divisions, had, for a moment, been swept away.

THE POPE MEETS ARCHBISHOP ROWAN WILLIAMS – AND ATTENDS WESTMINSTER HALL

It was quite another experience to be among the thousands in Hyde Park, for eight hours – and more – hours that slipped by in a ‘flash’.  Our small group from Lancashire would not have ‘missed it for the world’ and several were heard to remark: “How lucky we are to be here, and how we wish many others of our friends could have come”. The huge crowd was joyful, well-mannered, helpful to each other, and so, in a way, we saw what a ‘new world’ could be like – a world in which people became united, truly, in common purpose, in respect and loving care for each other – surely a lesson in love and its inevitable legacy! 

OUR SMALL GROUP FROM LANCASHIRE AND YOU CAN SEE OUR JOY 

Much later, and after the Pope’s arrival, we knelt, we sat, we stood in silence – all 90,000 of us – young and old, at the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament; at the end of the evening, it was heart warming and deeply moving, to join and sing, ‘full voice’, together and with our Blessed Lady and Mother, the ‘Magnificat’:  

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”

THE MAGNIFICAT … … PICTURE FROM THE SCREEN WITH THE WORDS PRINTED FOR THE PEOPLE TO SING 

My readers will have gathered, by now, that to me, the Pope’s visit to the UK was nothing short of ‘magical’ – formally, socially, and with a deeply meaningful religious vein – and so should not be surprised to read that, in a different context, I could go on, and on, and on … … in praise and thanksgiving to the Holy Father and to God who was with him, ‘alpha et omega’; however, a blog demands a certain brevity and conclusion.  For this, please allow me to end with another quote from Sean Patrick Lovett – largely because, in other circumstances, the visit could have turned out so very differently, and his reflections, again, will in all probability, be unknown to the majority of my readers: 

HEART SPEAKS UNTO HEART:  Reflection on the Visit of the Pope 20th Sept 2010 

If you were given just under four days to deliver over a dozen speeches to thousands of people (and millions more via TV and the internet) – what would you say? 

The problem, you see, is that everyone wants you to say something to them. Everyone is waiting for a message – a word of comfort or consolation, confirmation or inspiration, a word of guidance or enlightenment, pious sentiments or political insights. They want you to talk about life and love, about failure and faith, suffering and salvation. They want you to tell them about goodness and God, to say you’re sorry for sins you didn’t commit and to express shame for things you’ve already said you’re ashamed of.

And when you’ve done that, when you’re breathless from speaking, when your mouth is dry from telling them all the things they’ve asked you to tell them – there will always be those who will claim that everything you said was still “too little, too late”.  

It isn’t easy. It takes courage. And conviction. Not only are you expected to know what you’re talking about and to be utterly credible, you’re expected to live out what you say – to practice what you preach. And then, when all is said and done, how do you know that anyone has actually heard, taken heed, and taken to heart your multitude of words and messages? You don’t. But you do it just the same. 

That’s only one of the things that fascinates me about covering the Pope – the fact that he does it just the same. With courage and conviction he forges ahead into potentially hostile and unsympathetic waters. With patience and gentleness he confronts the controversy and contradictions. With firmness and frankness he tells us – not necessarily what we want to hear, but certainly what we need to. 

It can’t be easy. It must take courage. And conviction. But he’s the Pope – and he has plenty of both. 

With Pope Benedict in the UK, I’m Sean Patrick Lovett.