POPE BENEDICT XVI: Pope Benedict made his first Sunday noon appearance and gave a blessing from the windows of his apartment in a return to a much-loved weekly tradition before a cheering crowd of more than 40,000 in St Peter's Square in Rome.
In a sign that he intends to devote his papacy to the search for world harmony, Pope Benedict spoke of the conflict in Togo and also greeted Orthodox and other Christians who celebrated Easter on Sunday, and said he hoped for unity between Orthodox and Catholic churches.
Pope Benedict (78) greeted Catholics from Madrid and Barcelona in Spanish and, in a reference to May Day, appealed for respect and dignity for working people around the world. His first address from high above St Peter's Square came almost a month since Pope John Paul's poignant March 30th appearance at the windows of the same papal apartment, when he was too sick to speak to the crowds below.
Pope Benedict appeared stiff and nervous in comparison to the charismatic John Paul, who, he recalled, had made the Sunday noon greeting, usually in several languages, "a much loved tradition" around the world.
"We can still feel his presence, closer than ever," Pope Benedict said.