CD: What are you most looking forward to about the visit from the Holy Father?

SILVA: I think it will be a good opportunity for us to realize that we are part of a larger Church, a larger world, and we have an obligation not just to the people in the United States — which of course is a huge obligation in itself, to our own spiritual renewal and renewal and transforming world — but we also have an obligation toward the world in general. And I think the Holy Father, of course, is the symbol sacrament of that if you will — that we are one people, we are one family throughout the world.

CD: There will be a lot of excitement surrounding the Holy Father’s visit while he is here in the U.S. Do you think that the effects of his visit will make a lasting spiritual impression on the people who see him?

SILVA: I am hoping so. I hope that it is not simply a question of polemics and drawing lines between Catholic beliefs and what is opposed to Catholic beliefs. It could very easily become that, especially with the election year upon us, but I hope that it will be a real opportunity for spiritual renewal that takes our spirits out of our church buildings and tries to look at how we can transform the world for Christ.

CD: Have you been to any U.S. papal visits in the past?

SILVA: I went to John Paul’s visit to Monterey, California.

CD: And do you think that Pope Benedict’s approach to the visit will be different from or similar to that of John Paul II?
SILVA: In some ways it will be similar. He’s a very different man from John Paul II. All of us are different, and so I think his emphasis will be different. I find Benedict’s homilies to be rather more down to earth and practical, so I’m looking forward to hearing what he has to say. CD

Kerry Weber is associate editor of Catholic Digest.