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id="thebody" style="defaultCaption">Speaker
1: Okay, we're ready when you guys are.
Speaker 2: Houston, station on space to ground two.<p
begin="00:00:09.500" end="00:00:10.466">We are ready for the event.<p begin="00:00:11.633"
end="00:00:13.166">Speaker 1: ESA and ASI, this is Houston.<p begin="00:00:13.500"
end="00:00:14.966">Please call station for a voice check.<p begin="00:00:23.900"
end="00:00:25.133">Thomas Reiter: This is Thomas Reitercalling
from the Foconi Room in the Vatican.How
can you read me?Dmitri Kondratyev: This
is International Space Station.
We read you loud and clear.<p begin="00:00:42.166"
end="00:00:43.833">Thomas Reiter: Guys, it's excellent to see you.<p begin="00:00:43.866"
end="00:00:46.366">We are here in the Vatican together with His Holiness,<p begin="00:00:46.400"
end="00:00:49.100">Pope Benedict the Sixteenth.
We are very great to see you.<p begin="00:00:51.000"
end="00:00:53.966">And I hand over now to the head of the<p begin="00:00:54.000"
end="00:00:57.133">Italian Space Agency, Mr. Saggese.Enrico
Saggese: Thank you.
International Space Station, good morning.This
is Enrico Saggese from Rome Vatican.We
are in the presence of His HolinessPope
Benedict the Sixteenth.And with me there is also
the Space Commander,Space Chief of Staff Bernardi-
Giuseppe Bernardi.And we are ready to start
this historical communicationso on behalf of you and
all of our friendswe thank the Pope of this
historical occasionof a connection between
the VaticanInternational Space Station.
And in order for him to- to know all of you,
I would ask the two commanderif they are so kind to
introduce themselvesand their crew they command.<p
begin="00:01:51.266" end="00:01:53.933">And in particular, Dmitri Kondratyev.<p begin="00:01:53.966"
end="00:01:57.433">If you can start with your people and then <p begin="00:01:57.466"
end="00:02:01.466">Mark Kelly, if you can start introducing your people.
Over.
Dmitri Kondratyev: Thank you, we copy all.
And we will start with introduction of the<p
begin="00:02:11.933" end="00:02:13.333">Space Station crew, and then <p begin="00:02:13.366"
end="00:02:17.733">Mark Kelly will introduce his crew.My
name Dmitri Kondratyev.
I am commander of theInternational Space Station,
along with my crew here.Paolo Nespoli, Italian
astronaut and Cady Coleman, NASA astronaut.And
Andrey Borisenko, he is Russian cosmonaut.Russian
Space Agency, and Alexander Samokutyaev.He
is Russian cosmonaut.
And Ron Garan, NASA astronaut.Mark Kelly: Welcome about
the Space Station, Your Holiness.To my left is Roberto Vittori.<p
begin="00:02:57.666" end="00:03:01.066">He's an Italian astronaut on a mission for the<p
begin="00:03:01.100" end="00:03:04.333">European Space Agency.
Right behind him isEndeavor's pilot, Greg
Johnson, and Greg Chamitoffone of our mission specialists,
who just did his firstspace walk yesterday.
And then Drew Feustelwho's our lead spacewalker
for this missionwho's going to do three
spacewalks, and next to Drewis Mike Fincke who, after
this mission, will bethe American with the most
time in space.And won't be approaching
what the Russians have, buta lot of days in space.
Welcome aboard, your Holiness.Enrico Saggese: Thank you
very much for your introduction.Then I'll give the floor
to His Holiness, who wouldlike to say a few words
for all of usand maybe some question for some of you.<p
begin="00:03:51.766" end="00:03:54.700">Thank you.
Over.Pope Benedict the Sixteenth: Dear Astronauts,<p
begin="00:03:57.100" end="00:04:00.100">I am happy to have this extraordinary opportunity<p
begin="00:04:00.133" end="00:04:02.633">to converse with your during your mission.<p
begin="00:04:02.666" end="00:04:05.266">And especially grateful to be able to<p begin="00:04:05.300"
end="00:04:08.400">speak to so many of you, as both crews are present<p begin="00:04:08.433"
end="00:04:10.566">on the Space Station at this time.Humanity
is experiencing a period of extremely rapid progressin
the phase of scientific knowledge and technical applications.In
a sense, you are our representativesspearheading
humanity's exploration of new spacesand
possibilities for our futuregoing beyond the limitations
of our everyday existence.We all admire your courage<p
begin="00:04:37.033" end="00:04:39.400">as well as the discipline and commitment<p
begin="00:04:39.433" end="00:04:42.100">with which you prepared yourselves for this mission.<p
begin="00:04:42.133" end="00:04:45.266">We are convinced you are inspired by noble ideals
and that you intend placing the results of your
research and endeavors at the disposal of all humanity
and for the common good.<p begin="00:04:53.100"
end="00:04:56.066">This conversation gives me the chance <p begin="00:04:56.100"
end="00:04:59.500">to express my own admiration and appreciation to you <p begin="00:04:59.533"
end="00:05:02.433">and to all those who collaborate in making your mission <p begin="00:05:02.466"
end="00:05:05.700">possible, and to add my heartfelt encouragement to bring <p begin="00:05:05.733"
end="00:05:08.666">it to a safe and successful conclusion.But
this is a conversation, so I must not be the only one doing
the talking.
I am very curious to hear you tell me about
your experiences and your reflections.
If you don’t mindI would like to ask you
a few questions.First question.
From the space station, you have a verydifferent
view of the Earth.
You fly over different continents and nations several times
a day.
I think it must be obvious to you <p begin="00:05:38.233"
end="00:05:40.933">how we all live together on one Earth and
how absurd it is that we fight and kill each
one.
I know that Mark Kelly’s wife was a victim
of a serious attack, and I hope her health continues
to improve.
When you are contemplating the Earth from up there,
do you ever wonder about the way nations and
people live together down hereor about how science can
contribute to the cause of peace?<p begin="00:06:11.100"
end="00:06:16.266">Mark Kelly: Well, thank you for the kind words, your Holiness<p
begin="00:06:16.233" end="00:06:18.466">and thank you for mentioning my wife Gabby.
It's a very good question.
We fly over most of the world and<p begin="00:06:23.666"
end="00:06:26.166">you don't see borders but at the same time<p begin="00:06:26.200"
end="00:06:29.533">we realize that people fight with each other.
And there's a lot of violence in this world<p
begin="00:06:31.233" end="00:06:32.966">and it's really an unfortunate thing.
Usually, people fight over many different things.
As we're seeing in the Middle East right now<p
begin="00:06:38.533" end="00:06:42.733">it's somewhat for democracy in certain areas.<p
begin="00:06:42.766" end="00:06:45.266">But usually people fight for resources.<p
begin="00:06:45.300" end="00:06:50.766">And it's interesting, in space, you know- on Earth<p
begin="00:06:50.800" end="00:06:55.533">often people fight for energy.
In space we use solar power and we have
fuel cells on the space shuttle, but on the Space Station<p
begin="00:07:00.833" end="00:07:05.300">it's, you know, the science and the technology <p
begin="00:07:05.333" end="00:07:08.266">that we put into the Space Station to develop<p
begin="00:07:08.300" end="00:07:12.233">a solar power capability gives us pretty much
unlimited amountof energy.
And if those technologies could be adaptedmore
on Earth, we could possibly reduce some of that violence.<p begin="00:07:20.100"
end="00:07:28.900">Pope Benedict the Sixteenth: Second question.
One of the themes I often return to in my
discourses concerns the responsibility we
all have towards the future of our planet.
I recall the serious risks facing the environment
and the survival of future generations.
Scientists tell us we have to be careful and
from an ethical point of view, we must
develop our conscience as well.
From your extraordinary observation point, how
do you see the situation on Earth?
Do you see signs or phenomena to which we need to be
more attentive?Ron Garan: Well, Your Holiness,
it's a great honor to speakwith you.
And you're right, it really is an extraordinary vantage
point we have up here.
On the one handwe can see how indescribably
beautiful the planet that we have been given
is.
But on the other hand, we can really clearly see how fragile<p
begin="00:08:24.333" end="00:08:28.300">it is.
Just the atmosphere, for instance.
The atmospherewhen viewed from space,
is paper thin.
And to thinkthat this paper-thin layer is all that separates
every living thing from the vacuum of space<p
begin="00:08:37.300" end="00:08:39.700">and all that protects us is really a sobering
thought.And, you know, it seems to us that it's- it's<p
begin="00:08:43.200" end="00:08:46.466">just incredible to- to view the earth hanging in
the blackness of space and to think that, you know,<p
begin="00:08:48.866" end="00:08:51.666">we are all on this together, riding through this
beautiful fragile oasis through the universe.
And it really fills us with a lot of hope to think
that, you know,all of us on board this
incredible orbiting space stationthat was built by the many
nations of our internationalpartnership, you know,
to accomplish this tremendous feat in orbitI
think, you know, that just shows that by working
together and by cooperating, you know, we could overcome
many of the problems that face our planet.We
could solve many of the challenges that face theinhabitants
of our planet.
It really is a wonderful place to live and work, and it's
a wonderful place to view our beautiful Earth.
Pope Benedict the Sixteenth: My third question.
The experience you are having right now is
both extraordinary and very important even
if you must come back down to Earth like
all the rest of us.
When you do returnyou will be much admired
and treated like heroes who speak and act with
authority.
You will be asked to talk about your experiences.
What will be the most important messages you
would like to convey-to young people especially-
who will live in a world strongly influenced by
your experiences and discoveries?Mike Fincke: Your Holiness,
as my colleagues have indicatedwe can look down and see
our beautiful planet Earththat God has made, and
it is the most beautiful planet in the whole solar
system.
However, if we look up, we can see the rest<p begin="00:10:26.100"
end="00:10:27.900">of the universe.
And the rest of the universe is out there for us to
go explore.
And the International Space Station is just one
symbol,one example, of what humans beings can do <p
begin="00:10:36.233" end="00:10:38.566">when we work together constructively.
So our message, I think- one of our many messages,<p
begin="00:10:42.333" end="00:10:44.533">but I think one of our most important messages<p
begin="00:10:44.566" end="00:10:47.766">is to let the children of the planet know,<p
begin="00:10:47.800" end="00:10:50.266">the young people know, that there's a whole universe<p
begin="00:10:50.300" end="00:10:53.066">for us to go explore, and when we do it together<p
begin="00:10:53.100" end="00:10:55.200">there's nothing that we cannot accomplish.<p begin="00:11:03.166"
end="00:11:06.033">Pope Benedict the Sixteenth: My fourth question, space exploration<p
begin="00:11:06.066" end="00:11:10.100">is a fascinating scientific adventure.
I know that you have been installing new
equipment to further scientific research and the
study of radiation coming from outer space.
But I think it is also an adventure of the <p
begin="00:11:20.133" end="00:11:24.100">human spirit, a powerful stimulus to reflect on
the origins and on the destiny of the universe and humanity.
Believers often look up at the limitless heavens and<p
begin="00:11:32.033" end="00:11:35.233">meditating on the Creator of it all, they are struck
by the mystery of His greatness.
That is why the medal I gave Robert as a sign of my <p
begin="00:11:41.433" end="00:11:45.400">own participation in your mission, represents
the Creation of Manas painted by Michelangelo
on the Sistine Chapel.
In the midst of your intense work and research<p
begin="00:11:51.400" end="00:11:54.000">do you ever stop and reflect like this,<p
begin="00:11:54.033" end="00:11:56.866">perhaps even to say a prayer to the Creator?
Or will it be easier for you to think about <p
begin="00:12:00.100" end="00:12:02.300">these things once you have returned to Earth?<p
begin="00:12:11.100" end="00:12:18.200">Robert Vittori: Your Holiness, I do- living on the
International Space Station,working as an astronaut
is extremely interesting.But we do have an opportunity
at night to stop-Your Holiness, to live
on board of the International Space Station,
to work as an astronauton the shuttle Soyuz of
the station is extremely intense.
But we all have an opportunity when the nights
come to look out and more, to look down on Earth.<p
begin="00:12:50.933" end="00:12:56.700">Our planet, the blue planet, is beautiful.
Blue is the color of our planet, blue is the color the
sky.Blue is also the color of the Italian Air Force,<p
begin="00:13:03.733" end="00:13:06.833">the organization that gave me the opportunity<p
begin="00:13:06.866" end="00:13:09.433">to then join the Italian Space Agency, the European<p
begin="00:13:09.466" end="00:13:13.866">Space Agency.
When we have a moment to look downbeauty is the three-dimensional
effect of the beauty of the planet.
It's capturing our heart.
It's capturing my heart.
And I do pray.
I do pray for me, for our families<p begin="00:13:31.133"
end="00:13:36.433">for our future.
I took with me the coin and I allow this coin to
float in front of me to demonstrate microgravity.
I shall thank you very much for this opportunity.<p
begin="00:13:48.666" end="00:13:52.333">And I would like to allow this coin to float<p
begin="00:13:52.366" end="00:13:55.433">to my friend and colleague Paolo.
He will make return on Earth on the Soyuz.
I brought it with me to space, and will<p
begin="00:14:04.766" end="00:14:06.433">take down on Earth to then give back to you.<p
begin="00:14:17.133" end="00:14:18.433">Pope Benedict the Sixteenth: My last question is
for Paolo.Dear Paolo, I know that a few days ago<p begin="00:14:23.266"
end="00:14:24.866">a few days ago, your mom has left you.
And in a few days you will come back home <p
begin="00:14:28.033" end="00:14:30.266">you will not find her waiting for you.
We're all close to you.
Me too.
I have prayed for her.
How have you been living through this time of pain
on the International Space Station?
Do you feel isolated and alone?
Or do you feel united amongst ourselves,
in a community that follows you with attention
and affection?Paolo Nespoli: Holy Father,
I felt your prayers and everyone's prayers
arriving up here.Where outside the worth
we orbit- outside the Earthand we have a vantage point
to look at the Earthand we feel everything
around us.
My colleagues on board the station- Dmitri,
Cady, Ron, Alexander, and Andrey were very close to me at
this important timefor me, a very intense
moment.
As well as my brothers and sisters, my uncles<p
begin="00:15:33.866" end="00:15:37.400">my aunts, my relatives were close to my mom<p
begin="00:15:37.866" end="00:15:40.500">in her last moments.
I'm very grateful for this.I felt very far but also
very close.
And the thought of feeling all of you near me at this time
has been a great relief.
I also want to thankthe Italian and American
space agencies thathave given me the opportunity
so that I was ableto speak with her in her
last moments.Pope Benedict the Sixteenth: Dear Astronauts,<p
begin="00:16:08.666" end="00:16:12.200">I thank you warmly for this wonderful opportunity
to meet and dialog with you.
You have helped me and many other people to reflect
together on important issues that regard the future
of humanity.
I wish you the very best for your work and for the <p
begin="00:16:25.466" end="00:16:27.666">success of your great mission at the service of <p
begin="00:16:27.900" end="00:16:31.866">science, international collaboration, authentic progress<p
begin="00:16:32.166" end="00:16:35.666">and for peace in the world.
I will continue to follow you in my thoughts
and prayers and I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing.<p
begin="00:16:53.900" end="00:16:56.733">Dmitri Kondratyev: And we all would like to thank
you,Your Holiness, for your kind- for your kind words.
Enrico Saggese: Have a nice and happy continuation
of the workyou have done.
Thank you very much.
Bye.
Speaker 3: ISS.
This is Houston ACR.
That concludes the eventin Vatican City.
Thank you.