A Few Brief Updates - Including Prayer for Sen. Kennedy

The pageantry was magnificent yesterday, and I was proud of my country.

I have already exressed my feelings on the matter of the new president's election.

I join with my fellow Americans and with Pope Benedict XVI, who said:

ON THE OCCASION OF YOUR INAUGURATION AS THE FORTY-FOURTH
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA I OFFER CORDIAL GOOD
WISHES, TOGETHER WITH THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS THAT ALMIGHTY
GOD WILL GRANT YOU UNFAILING WISDOM AND STRENGTH IN THE EXERCISE
OF YOUR HIGH RESPONSIBILITIES. UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP MAY THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE CONTINUE TO FIND IN THEIR IMPRESSIVE RELIGIOUS AND
POLITICAL HERITAGE THE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
NEEDED TO COOPERATE IN THE BUILDING OF A TRULY JUST AND FREE SOCIETY,
MARKED BY RESPECT FOR THE DIGNITY, EQUALITY AND RIGHTS OF EACH OF ITS
MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY THE POOR, THE OUTCAST AND THOSE WHO HAVE NO
VOICE. AT A TIME WHEN SO MANY OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERSTHROUGH
OUT THE WORLD YEARN FOR LIBERATION FROM THE SCOURGE OF POVERTY,
HUNGER AND VIOLENCE, I PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE CONFIRMED IN YOUR
RESOLVE TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING, COOPERATION AND PEACE AMONG
THE NATIONS, SO THAT ALL MAY SHARE IN THE BANQUET OF LIFE WHICH GOD
WILLS TO SET FOR THE WHOLE HUMAN FAMILY (cf. Isaiah 25:6-7). UPON YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY, AND UPON ALL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, I WILLINGLY INVOKE
THE LORD’S BLESSINGS OF JOY AND PEACE

Also, I would ask that you readers pause and say a prayer for Senator Kennedy, who, as you know, has brain cancer, and apparently suffered a seizure during the inaugural luncheon: ask God to grant him healing and conversion.

the 91 year-old Senator Byrd also left the inaugural luncheon yesterday, though he seems to be fine.

I will have more fulsome thoughts on the speech later.

UPDATE:

Sen. Kennedy seems to be doing better.