Peter's heart

"Let me assure you and the Lord Speaker of my continued good wishes and prayers for you and for the fruitful work of both Houses of this ancient Parliament."

That's how the Holy Father ended his speach at Westminster Hall just now. "I assure you of my prayers." It's something the Holy Father has promised several times during the current trip as well as at many other occassions.

I don't think this is an empty statement. The Holy Father really does keep the world in his prayers. I wonder what his prayer life must be like - what his conversations with God must be like. I think it was St Josemaria who said that one must ask for a large heart, to contain the concerns and needs of a great number of  people. Pope Benedict must be a very magnanimous person.  As Peter, he carries the whole world in his heart.