In Benedict's words

Pope Benedict says it better than I. As quoted in an MSNBC.com article:


“In the last years of his life, the Lord gradually stripped (the Pope) of everything in order to fully assimilate him (with God),” Benedict said, his words interrupted several times by applause and chants of “John Paul, John Paul”.

“When he could no longer travel, then no longer walk and in the end no longer speak, his gesture ... was reduced to the essential: a gift of himself to the last instant,” he said.