Here’s something to the lift the spirits of priests everywhere (just days before the feast of St. John Vianney, patron of parish priests).

Pope Benedict, on vacation, met with Italy’s longest-serving priest:

Father Armando Durighetto has seen a lot of popes in his time, but says Pope Benedict XVI is special.

“With his smile, he seems like an angel,” he told Vatican Radio July 18, three days after his bishop introduced him to the vacationing pontiff in Lorenzago di Cadore.

“I love the pope,” he said.

Father Durighetto — pastor of the parish in Caposile, not far from Lorenzago di Cadore — is the oldest active parish priest in Italy. He was born 96 years ago and was ordained to the priesthood 71 years ago.

Father Durighetto said the pope told him he prayed he would have even more years of ministry “because you can still do so much good.”

After meeting the pope, the priest said, “I again thank the Lord for everything, for my 71 of years of Masses; I’ve celebrated 36,495. I’ve always thanked the Lord for this, and I can say I’ve never regretted being a priest.”

A few years ago, I was at a Trappist monastery for the 70th anniversary of the profession of a monk, who was 91. (He’s still alive and kicking.) When I think of the world he’s seen, and the changes he’s experienced — in his order, in the Church, and in the world — it’s truly astonishing.

The same can be said of Fr. Durighetto. What a witness — for the world, and for the priesthood.