SPIRITUAL REVIVAL IN GERMANY TRIGGERED BY BENEDICT XVI

BERLIN, April 19 (CNA) - The German newspaper Handelsblatt is reporting that Pope Benedict XVI has triggered a spiritual revival in his native country, which he will visit for the second time in September.

In a special edition for the first anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's pontificate, the German daily noted that in visiting his native country twice in such a short period of time, the Pontiff has set off a spiritual awakening among many Germans.

The article in Handelsblatt points out that the September trip is "not an official visit, but rather a visit to the roots of his life." While there exists among Germans a general euphoria about havi ng the Pope so close, the article adds that "there is another perspective that many previously thought impossible and that must be pointed out: this 79 year-old wise man could spark in this moment a revival in the Church in Germany." (more...)