For the first time since the Second Vatican Council, the Pope celebrated the liturgy cum populo, with the people, instead of against the people (versus populo). In other words, he celebrated facing a wall altar rather than facing the people at a freestanding one.
Note what I am careful not to say. (See the article headline for the term I am not using.) Ah, the power of language to change what people think.
At my church we celebrate in this fashion (although we do have a freestanding altar) and I have come to prefer it because it has a sense of the priest leading us in worship, being a fellow-worshipper, and not a cynosure. I think priests and ministers that face the congregation draw too much attention to themselves. It's a distraction, to be blunt.
This was especially brought home when I was a "praise leader" for a prayer meeting once. I hated facing the assembly because it felt awkward to worship. I wasn't worshiping them, after all. I'd rather either face an icon or crucifix (not to worship it of course but as a way to focus myself), or face dead air. Anything but a sea of faces.
I think the Pope understands this. In any case he is on the record regretting the turning of the altars around and seems to be trying to effect slow change in this area. Good for him, I say.
