It is a sign of hope for many Catholics and for many people in the world that two so different people as we are nevertheless agreed on many things with regard to the future of the world.

I am sure that this will be seen in the Catholic world, and even more than that, as a hopeful sign because it shows that he [Benedict] has more positive intentions than maybe what was seen at the beginning.

It shows the pope is not obsessed with the past, but is keeping his options open and is willing to do unconventional things that even the innermost Vatican circles don't expect.

This is not a withdrawn pope who looks to the past. He looks at the situation as it is and is capable of listening,

although he gave him 100 days to ''learn.

That he dedicated to me so many hours — and this was extraordinary — I am happy that this was possible,