The Gospel of John continues:

I tell you most solemnly, whoever keeps my word will never see death. (John 8:51-59)

A promise so dear yet so immeasurable and obscure in the minds of men in its believability!

I watched the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Canterbury. Impressive in its own way, yet in its great mass of the suited lay establishment and the multi-cassocked clerical establishment, lacking the joy and spontaneity of a 100,000 flag-waving members of the Roman public in St Peter’s Square.

I can never forget these two vast set pieces: Mass clear and simple in the Latin of the funeral of Pope John Paul II and the installation of Pope Francis.