Pontifex Maximus

"Do you freely accept your election?"

The Latin tongue is a familiar comfort even if the question is not. The slight shuddering of those passing sound waves belies the words’ terrible weight. Yet, lingering vibrations mingle with a swift counter.

"I accept."

Despite bracing for the new burden, his tenuous grasp on reality is strained. Set adrift, Joseph Ratzinger casts about for an anchor and latches onto the beauty looming over the altar of the Sistine Chapel. It is "The Last Judgment" of Michelangelo. His vision skims over the fleshy and muscular Christ figure. In contrast, fully clothed with even her head covered the Virgin Mother is a familiar comfort by his side.

Yet her dark eyes disturb Joseph and in that moment he sees Mary as he has never seen her before. Time quiets as he absorbs this disconcerting revelation. Mary is not supporting the radiant Christ, rather she is cowering beneath him. Hands are crossed to shield her heart and her face is turned away in fear. Or is it shame? Grief, perhaps.

His daydream arouses Mary from her harsh repose. She stirs and from her lips pours a chiming Hebrew supplication. You are an old man, so maybe they will listen to you. They touch the beads of my rosary. They kneel before my statues. For Christ’s sake, they worship me! I do not know why they have stopped listening to me. Will you bear my message to them? But the man is old and his heart is deaf. His ears can only pick out the quivering vibrations, which pull him from this shallow contemplation.

"What name do you take?"

"I take the name Benedict."

Later, standing on the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI addresses his brothers and sisters in amicable Italian. Speaking of his mission for the future, he says to them, "The Lord will aid us and Mary, his Most Holy Mother, will be by our side."

As the Pope begins the Latin blessing, the dark skies release their tears.

(Writer's Note: Although mostly fabrication, there exists some fact. Such as the location for papal election, the dialogue for the pope's acquiescence, and the weather at Pope Benedict XVI's first Urbi et Orbi. Check out Michelangelo's portrait of Mary that inspired the story: HERE.)