Benedict XVI's video message to the people of Russia gave viewers a look at the "warmhearted" Pope of "great dignity," affirmed the Russia specialist for Aid to the Church in Need.

Peter Humeniuk gave this analysis of the response to a documentary that aired in Russia on the state channel Vesti on April 16, the Holy Father's 81st birthday. The documentary included a personal message from the Pope to all Russians.

Humeniuk said the film brought the Holy Father closer to many of the Russian people. Viewers saw the Pope as "a person of great dignity and at the same time kind, and [having a] warmhearted personality," he said.

Many people found it especially beautiful that the Holy Father gave part of his message in Russian, Humeniuk added.

Father Joaquín Alliende, the international ecclesiastical assistant and president-elect of the Germany-based aid organization, expressed his delight at the warm reception, both among the Russian public and in the international press.

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