Let's defend the Truth

A)  The text of the speech by J.M.Bergoglio:

“«Also, when he (Benedict XVI) resigned, for me it was an example of greatness. A great man. Only a great man does this! A man of God and a man of prayer»” (Press conference during the return flight from the apostolic journey to Rio De Janeiro on the occasion of the XXVIII world youth day Papal Flight Sunday, July 28, 2013)

“Pope Benedict (announcing his resignation) has done an act of holiness, greatness, humility. He is a man of God” (Interview of Monday, Aug. 19, 2013 by Antonio Spadaro)

“The pope emeritus is not a statue in a museum. It is an institution. We weren’t used to it. Sixty or 70 years ago, “bishop emeritus” didn’t exist. It came after the [Second Vatican] Council. Today, it is an institution. The same thing must happen for the pope emeritus. Benedict is the first, and perhaps there will be others. We don’t know” (Interview to the newspaper “Corriere della Sera”, March 5, 2014)

B) References to Scriptures:

“‘Father,’ he said, ‘if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine‘” (Luk 22:42)

“Five of them have already gone, one is here now, and one is yet to come; once here, he must stay for a short while” (Rev 17:10)

C) Comment:

Christ had not given up His mission, but He went on until His death on the Cross.

And, following the example of Christ, many martyrs and saints have testified giving their life, right to the end, without withdrawing in front of anything, especially of the advancing evil, even if their (human) forces was abandoning them.

For example, despite his illness and the (misleading but vain) attempts of many of his brethren to make him resign, John Paul II remained till the end.

The true greatness and the true holiness is to remain faithful to God’s Call … if you don’t want to fall.