May 18 marks 100 years since John Paul II's birth. For the occasion, Benedict XVI addressed a letter to Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz. In it, he offers a key to understanding his predecessor's pontificate.
He explains how his arrival was a wake-up call, an injection of enthusiasm for a Church in crisis.
He also underlines the “inner unity” between John Paul II's message and Pope Francis' fundamental intentions. In that sense, he explains why his predecessor wasn't a “moral rigorist,” as some people tried to portray him.
Javier Romero
Translation: Claudia Torres
