Archbishop Georg Gänswein tells how the Pope Emeritus, who was vaccinated on Thursday morning, is going through these difficult times.
By Vatican News
This was Benedict XVI’s first Christmas without his brother Georg, although his presence was somehow felt, says Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the personal secretary of the Pope’s emeritus. The Archbishop, who also serves as Prefect of the Papal Household, spoke to Vatican News on the day Joseph Ratzinger was inoculated at Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
“The brother of Benedict XVI has somehow felt himself during this Christmas holiday – the first after his death: in fact we listened to CDs several times, not only to Bach’s Christmas oratorio, but also to concerts with Christmas carols , performed by the Regensburger Domspatzen, the choir conducted by Georg Ratzinger. Archbishop Gänswein added: ‘For Benedict this absence is a wound that hurt him during these holidays, but he also told me that he felt the comfort of the Lord, in the assurance that his brother now lives in his embrace. ‘
Pope Emeritus Benedict with his brother, Georg Ratzinger (photo file)
The Pope’s personal secretary, emeritus, also shared how this time of pandemic is lived in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery. “The day-to-day organization has not changed much. The rhythm of the days has remained the same, even though the number of visits has decreased significantly. Benedict follows the news that reaches us on television and shares our concerns about the pandemic, about what is happening in the world, about the many people who are losing their lives to the virus. There are people he knows who died of Covid-19. “
After publishing images of his meeting with Pope Francis and the new cardinals last November, Archbishop Gänswein confirms that Ratzinger is physically weak but perfectly clear: “From a physical point of view he is very weak and can walk. His voice is also weak. The time we spend resting has increased, but every afternoon, despite the cold, we go to the Vatican Gardens. Every day I celebrate Mass and he concludes while sitting … We have prepared extensive scriptures for his daily prayer so that he can better follow the Hours of Prayer, and we continue to eat together as we always have. “