B16's new approach to Ad Limina visits

Rocco gives us the goods:

First is a different attitude from the curia people; while most of the dicastery presentations in the last pontificate (Cardinal Ratzinger's CDF being the notable exception) veered toward the cathedratic style of "We talk, you listen," the bishops are now finding the Roman approach as "How can we best be of service to you?"

The other sea-change is that, when the bishops go upstairs for their individual audiences with the Pope, "There's no map-pointing anymore" -- shorthand that Benedict knows where the diocese is and has done his prepwork, including a thorough reading of the bulky Quinquennial Reports. While they've also been touched by the pontiff's relaxed graciousness as a host, the Teutonic regimentation is never far off; however enjoyable the conversation, the Pope knows when the 15 minutes are up.

One last tidbit (not to be confused with a timtam):

While Quebec may be Canada's primatial see, the archdiocese of Toronto is its most prominent. The quinquennial meetings behind, plans are quickening toward the appointment of a successor to 76 year-old Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic, likely by year's end.... You could say the Pope's been "auditioning" the terna over the course of the visits.

Rocco also recently blogged on the soon-to-be-published memoirs of Cardinal Dziwisz, and reproduces the Cardinal's poignant first-hand account of the assasination attempt on John Paul II.