An Open Letter to Benedict XVI

Holy Father, today I write you an open letter in my weekly column, because I want to use my profession as a Venezuelan journalist to tell you some things that usually no one tells you through the media. I do so after reading some news stories and reports (above all in European media) that speculate about the sad situation you have been through with the theft and publication of some private documents. I think it important that from this side of the ocean we express our point of view in the face of so much European sensationalism.

First of all, I want to explain something very simple to everyone. Some journalists, and others who are not journalists, keep repeating that the Pope is alone. I ask those who say so: don’t you know that whoever is with God is NEVER alone? And I also ask them: how can you say the Pope is alone when just a week ago, at the World Meeting of Families in Milan, the Pope celebrated a Mass with a million people? And I repeat to them what Cardinal Angelo Scola told journalists in that same city: “Resign yourselves: the people love the Pope.”

I want you to know, Holy Father, because I know it will make you very happy, that our Holy Catholic Church in Venezuela is living unique moments in which, in the midst of a great political and social crisis, Venezuelans have drawn very close to God and to our Church. Our strength to carry on in “this valley of tears” is nourished first by Jesus Christ Our Lord, then by the Blessed Virgin under her various titles, beginning with our patroness, the Virgin of Coromoto. And our hope is also strengthened day by day by the exemplary witness of all our bishops (starting with our Cardinal) and of thousands of priests, religious and lay people who are devoted one hundred percent to helping our neighbor and spreading the Gospel in EVERY corner of Venezuela.

I also want you to know, Holy Father, that our hope and our fortitude in trying to be exemplary Christians grow every time we see you (at your age) striving to fulfill the mission God entrusted to you when you least expected it (and least wanted it). You are teaching us through your own life what it means to “do God’s will and not our own.” We see clearly how the Holy Spirit is guiding you when, with your incomparable intelligence, you show such impressive humility, patience, wisdom and peace. Every message you give is like an oasis of spiritual theology that shows us plainly the way to fall in love with God; because you, more than anyone, know very well that the more souls are set on fire with love of God, the more an immense flame will spread, burning every corner of the earth with Love, Justice and Peace.

I wish, Holy Father, that you could come one day to this faraway place, to this wonderful Land of Grace, where you would see thousands of simple little boats bearing the image of the Virgin of the Valley and humble fishermen who love God and their dear Virgin. Here you would see hundreds of towns and thousands of buses with images of the Virgin of Coromoto, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, La Chinita and so many more. Here you would see churches packed with children, young people and adults who love and respect you, and who, if you came, would ask for your blessing. If you came on the day of the procession of the Divina Pastora you could feel, as our current nuncio said, something unique, something never like what you imagine when people tell you about it.

While some journalists and enemies of the Church speculate and talk about plots, dirty wars and so on, around the world (and here in Venezuela!) millions of us Catholics keep working, very close to God and supporting our “sweet Christ on earth,” so that our Holy Catholic Church may live for ever and ever and the powers of hell may not prevail against her.

So now you know, Holy Father: from this corner of the world, you can count on many Catholics committed, body and soul, to our Holy Church, who are praying for you and for all your collaborators. We ask for your prayers, because the work ahead of us is immense and in this wonderful Land of Grace there is no shortage of difficulties.

We love you very much. Thank you for what you are doing for our Church, and may God grant you good health and strength so that we may have you with us for many more years. We hope to welcome you soon in our Beloved Venezuela.