The Darkest Point of the Papacy of Benedict XVI
Episode Stats
Words per Minute
106.3189
Summary
In this episode of the John Henry Weston Show, Cardinal Roberto Dumatte shares his memories of working with Pope Benedict XVI, including his time as Cardinal Ratzinger, and his work as a Vatican theologian. He also talks about the scandal surrounding the papal election process, and the role of the CIA in the process.
Transcript
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We learned already before that, that the NSA was interested and active before the conclave.
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So there was some interest of the U.S. National Security Agency with regard to the papal elections,
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The existence of strong pressures is not new in history.
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Always in the history of the Church, there were pressures.
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This episode of the John Henry Weston Show is very special.
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We're coming to you actually from a very special place.
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This is the headquarters of the Lepanto Foundation,
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but it is also one of the most ancient Christian communities here in Rome.
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In fact, directly in front of us is the church called Santa Balbina,
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and that is the eldest daughter of one of the ancient rulers in Rome who converted their whole family.
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And so we've got an ancient Catholic community from like the 3rd century.
00:01:07.960
And on this show, we're going to be talking to Professor Roberto Dumatte,
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who I think most of you know, but he is one of the greatest church historians alive today.
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And he's going to share with us both about Pope Benedict and his legacy, his history, where he stood.
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And you're going to want to stay tuned for this one.
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Let's begin, as we always do, at the sign of the cross.
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
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First of all, behind us is a new beautiful statue of St. Francis.
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It is a very ancient house with many memories of the history of the church.
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As you say, there is the Basilica of Santa Balbina,
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founded under Emperor Constantine in the 14th century.
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We've just experienced the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI,
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and now there's a lot of questions as to where we are as a church,
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you know, and what's going to happen, particularly in the future, a lot of worry.
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But tell us first about your recollections of working with Pope Benedict,
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first as Cardinal Ratzinger, and then Pope Benedict himself.
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I have never met Pope Benedict, but I have met Cardinal Ratzinger.
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I was asked by Cardinal Ratzinger for a meeting,
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the Spanish professor Ayuso, myself and a few others,
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And for three days, this meeting was opened and closed by Cardinal Ratzinger.
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and intervened with very, very interesting observations.
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the importance for him of the subject of liturgy,
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it was very important a restoration of the liturgy.
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because it was absolutely coherent with his mind.