Last Testament

by Pope Benedict XVI

The story of the first Pope to resign in over 700 years.

Pope Benedict made history when he became the first Pope in over 700 years to resign from office, stunning the Catholic Church the world over. At last, Last Testament is a stunning and frank autobiography from the shy and private man who has since remained cloistered in a former convent in the Vatican gardens. In interviews with Peter Seewald, the Pope Emeritus breaks his silence on corruption within the Vatican, clerical sex scandals, and the challenge of reforming the Papacy.

In these interviews, Benedict discusses such wide-ranging controversies as:

- The “Vatileaks” case in which his butler leaked some of his personal letters that alleged corruption and scandal in the Vatican
- The presence of a “gay lobby” within the Vatican and how he dismantled it
- His alleged Nazi upbringing
- His attempts at cleaning up the “dirt in the church” (clerical sexual abuse)
- The mysterious private secretary “Gorgeous George”

On a more personal level he writes with great warmth of his successor Pope Francis, who he admits has a popular touch, a star quality which Benedict himself has lacked. Much controversy still surrounds Pope Benedict's Papacy--in this book he addresses these controversies and reveals how at his late age, governing and reforming the Papacy and particularly the Vatican, was beyond him.

Genres: Religion, Biography, Theology, Christianity, Catholic, Nonfiction, Memoir

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Originally Joseph Ratzinger , a noted conservative theologian before his election in 2005, Benedict XVI strove against the influence of secularism during his papacy to defend traditional Catholic teachings but since medieval times first resigned in 2013.

After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.

Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.

Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.

Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.

Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.

(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)

Reviews

[Sindy Castellanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente entrevista que permite tener un acercamiento a la personalidad de Benedicto XVI.
En las respuestas se puede entrever su recorrido humano y espiritual, lo que ayuda a comprender mejor sus reacciones y decisiones.
Durante la lectura destaca la humildad y sencillez con la cual se expresa un gran pensador de nuestro tiempo, que ha influido de manera decisiva en la renovación de la Iglesia Católica.
________
Excellent interview that allows an approach to the personality of Benedict XVI.
In the answers you can glimpse his human and spiritual journey, which helps to better understand his reactions and decisions.
During the reading, the humility and simplicity with which a great thinker of our time expresses himself, who has decisively influenced the renewal of the Catholic Church, stands out.

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually preordered this by accident or I'd never have read it. As it turns out, I'm glad I did.

Journalist Peter Seewald continues the interview format that he used for his previous books with Pope Benedict XVI. This book serves not only as Pope Benedict's last testament but as a good overview of his entire life. I was interested in reading about the decision to step down as pope and what Benedict's life has been like since. I was much less interested in his life story but am glad that I read it because it gave me a much better understanding of his journey in faith. I never realized that as a young man Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict) was a progressive who was considered possibly dangerous and who was good friends with Hans Kung. Ultimately Ratzinger chose to adhere closely to the liturgy in his zeal to bring the church into better touch with modern times. And that has made all the difference.

I didn't give this 5 stars because I wasn't familiar with some of the theologians or controversies which Seewald kept coming back to. However, even in reading about those one gets a look at Pope Benedict and how he approaches conflict.

Very interesting overall, a super fast read, and I found it ultimately inspiring.

[Kevin W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book is like getting to know that German grandpa of yours that you're not super close with even though you've visited with him a few times and enjoyed his timeless wisdom, but you figured now's probably a good time to get to know him better since he's nearing death. Then he starts telling you his life story and there are some parts you really could care less about, but there's some things that give you a completely different perspective on his character and makes you wish you'd known him better growing up. You realize your grandpa was a beer-drinking, sofa-loving, faith-filled man of God.
I'm not a big fan of books set up in interview format and there were some sections of the interview that I admittedly skimmed through. But anyone who desires a glimpse at the resilient yet tender heart of our "papa", Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, needs to give this book a read.

[Jeremy Keong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, a new book by Pope Benedict XVI, and, if the back inside flap is to be believed, his last. And it's not written by him per se, since it is a book-length interview, and a very candid and honest one at that. I loved the clarity and the straightforward nature of the answers that Pope Benedict gives, sometimes a very simple "no" or "perhaps" to the questions that Peter Seewald asks, and a few times even said something was "stupid." It's so refreshing to finally hear the pope's own words on such matters like his resignation (obviously), but also on things such as what he thought he struggled with during his papacy, what his strengths and weaknesses are, and what he wish he had more time to do during his papacy (and even what he wished he had time to do if he had not become pope!)

To that end, the first quarter and the last quarter of the book were the most interesting to me. There were some eye-opening things that I did not know about, and it was great to hear the pope speak about them. So often, I hear people say how Pope Francis is the 'compassionate' pope, while Benedict XVI is an old stiff who was a mean guard dog of the Church, and one who is not good with people. This interview shines light on those false notions placed on him.

The middle half of the book, while good, was more of an interview-biography, and the pope explained where and in what situations he grew up, his studies and jobs before moving to the Vatican, and his relationships with certain people (the small section about his relationship with JP II was really cool though). I just wish everything that the Pope said, throughout the whole interview, was delved into with greater detail. I just want to hear all of what he has to say!

All in all, the book whet my appetite to dive back into some of Benedict's more enduring works like Introduction to Christianity, and his 'Jesus of Nazareth' trilogy (so. good.). More than anything though, it was just good to hear from the Holy Father Emeritus again, a man that I look up to greatly, one whose works I have formally studied, and one who has influenced me in the years during which I really started to understand what it means to have a relationship with Christ.

I can't put it any better than Peter Seewald does in the foreward to this book, 'Last Testament':

"No one besides Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) has stood for so long by the helm of the biggest and oldest institution in the world. With his contributions to the [Second Vatican] Council, the rediscovery of the Fathers, the bringing to life of doctrine, and the purification and consolidation of the Church, he was not only a renewer of the faith, but also...one of the most significant popes ever, the modern world's Doctor of the Church, of a sort that will not be seen again. With Benedict XVI, an era comes to an end, perhaps even an aeon - one of those chapters of history which in the passing of millennia denote the major turning points of history. The eight years of his papacy were something like the great retreat the Church needed, to buttress the interior castle and to strengthen her soul. By the verdict of his followers, Benedict XVI was 'a great Pope': 'great due to the vitality and penetrating power of his intelligence, great due to his major contributions to theology, great due to his love for the Church and for humanity, and great due to his virtue and his religiosity.' In the words of Pope Francis, his spirit 'will manifest itself more greatly and more forcefully, from generation to generation.'

Viva il Papa.

[Eapen Chacko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is remarkable for one reason that the interviewer Peter Seewald, a German journalist, who has known the Pope Emeritus for many years, goes beyond the purview of any print or electronic journalist I know. He throws very pointed, personal questions at the Pope, and harbors on if he's not satisfied with the answer. No modern celebrity of any stripe has opened himself to this kind of vulnerability. The result is an informative, surprising, at times touching, and honest book about Pope Benedict, his relationship to his predecessor St. John Paul II, and an evaluation of his papacy.

Pope Benedict, as the interviewer says, is someone who speaks so carefully and thoughtfully that his words can often just go straight into print. His responses to some questions are just like this. Pope Benedict would have loved to have been a Professor of Theology for life. Instead, he was called to become a reluctant bishop, then a Cardinal to serve at the side of St. John Paul II. He wanted to resign his position several times but the Polish Pope always said, "No."

Eventually, Benedict became a reluctant Pope. His writings, whether on the Saints or addressing an audience at Regensburg, are clear, scholarly, accessible, challenging, informative and demand real engagement by the reader. His decision to step down to effectively become a monk in reflection and contemplation was historic, and he explains his reasons very well here. The knee-jerk press questioned his motives, but in the case of Pope Benedict, he says what he believes and has no ulterior agenda.

He admits that certain issues at the end of his papacy, when he had already been physically and emotionally drained, could have gone better, but his explanations also lend credence to the fact that he set lots of things in motion, like the reforms of the Vatican Bank, which Pope Francis is still trying to work out. No Pope is elected because he is a Catholic Jack Welch, thank God.

In an answer to a question at the end of the book, Pope Benedict offers this response, "...there is not a place where He sits. God Himself is the place beyond all places. If you look into the world you do not see heaven, but you see traces of God everywhere. In the structure of matter, in all the rationality of reality. Even where you see human beings, you find traces of God. You see vices, but you also see goodness, love. These are the places where God is there." Radio talk shows ask every day, "Where is God?" There's the answer.

As a former Professor of theology himself, he says that German theology has to repair itself. "Here theology still has to go thoroughly to work and provide human beings with conceptual possibilities again. Here the translation of theology and faith into the language of today has tremendous lacunae" Theologians from Kung to Curran think that they have been self-anointed to stand as indisputable remakers of the Church's deposit of faith. Pope Benedict, who is one of them, calls them to their original mission, in a gentle way.

Completely blind in one eye, increasingly frail, less and unable to play his beloved piano, Pope Benedict could be a sad figure, but his intellect is as sharp as ever, and his ease with the extremely sharp and sometimes accusatory questions, and his gentleness with the interviewer show a man who is hewing close to his Maker and at peace. I learned a lot from reading this book, and I am sure that you will too.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second full audiobook I finish (even though I tagged The Decameron as such, I read it half and half, both in PDF and audiobook format), and it was a nice experience. Definitely the format is fitting as it is a long interview, the last given by Benedict XVI.

Many topics are touched upon, partly biographical, partly theological in a sense but it reads more as what it is meant to be, some statement of retirement. I liked many insights, especially the recognition of the unintended (on the Church's part) existence of two factions (aka 'traditionalists' and 'progressives'), but there also are notes of interest such as what living under Nazism meant and the awareness there was in his family, at least regarding certain aspects, since the horrors were more evident when the war ended; also the work to do in Germany to reunify the Church, etc.

I think the only thing that would downrate the book is that the last two chapters are just the footnotes and a chronology the footnotes section feels dry, it's a complicated issue to solve, but I think I would have them read at the end of the chapter in question.

An excellent Lent read.

[Matt Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a marvelous final interview with the great Pope Benedict XVI. As I read through these pages, I became increasingly convinced that we have a future doctor of the Church among us.

[Michal Čop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Občas sa mi zdalo, že Seewald má voči Ratzingerovi až prílišný rešpekt, no potom som si uvedomil, že pri tomto formáte, počte rokov pápeža a funkcii v ktorej sa nachádza by sa to asi ťažko dalo spraviť ináč. Možno by stálo za to, niektoré pasáže vynechať a viac sa povenovať len tým najkľúčovejším, ale ok. Je to taká skôr oddychovka.

Čo ma na knihe zaujalo bola pápežova rozhodnosť v otázke odstúpenia z úradu, nebolo pri tom vidieť žiadne zaváhanie. Plus veci o ktorých som nevedel, teda, že profesorom sa stal už v tridsiatke, že jeho habilitácia na prvýkrát neprešla, že sa stretával so všetkými možnými velikánmi svojej doby od Rilkeho, cez Kunga až po množstvo takých, ktorých som ani nepoznal. Ďalej, že na začiatku bol vnímaný skôr ako revolučný, zatiaľ čo teraz je vnímaný ako konzervatívny teológ. Taktiež zaujímavé bolo sledovať ako sa menil jeho postoj ku koncilu (najprv ho veľmi chválil a neskôr varoval pred jeho následkami, keďže prax sa ukázala iná ako pôvodne koncilový otcovia zamýšľali), celkovo to, ako sa stal jedným z koncilových teológov, i to ako vysvetlil svoje niektoré kontroverznejšie činy, ako napríklad povolenie slúženia predkoncilovej liturgie (aby ukázal, že aj predošlá liturgia bola v poriadku a to, že máme teraz novú neznamená, že tridentská bola chybná). A tie�� bolo zaujímavé čítať (aj keď len v náznakoch) jeho teologické úvahy o liturgii ako centre kresťanstva, ďalej o kristologickosti, o umenšovaní cirkvi vo svete a o tom, ako sa k tomu postaviť, o viere ako absolútnom základe pre správne chápanie sveta, či to tom, ako nemeckým katolíkom viac škodí ako pomáha to, že všetky funkcie v cirkvi sú tam platené a, že je vlastne dobré, ak je veľká časť ľudí v cirkvi dobrovoľníkmi.
Bolo zaujímavé zistiť, že si priznal, že v Regensburskej prednáške bola chyba použiť citáciu, ktorá hovorí o islame ako násilnom náboženstve (lebo nedomyslel politické dôsledky svojho prejavu).
A tiež sa mi páčil Ratzinger ako akademik, ktorý s láskou, ale jasne kritizoval (až sa mi chce napísať hejtoval) niektorých iných akademikov (Kunga, že uletel, Rilkeho, že jeho práce boli nejednoznačné, také aj, aj...).
A v neposlednom rade bolo vlastne celkovo zaujímavé sledovať cestu toho, ako sa z chlapca, študenta a akademika stane biskup, neskôr kardinál, strážca viery, ktorý je jedným z najbližších spolupracovníkov JP II. až napokon takmer v osemdesiatke pápež. Stále je to ten istý človek, a predsa je iný.

[Christopher Blosser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting retrospective and summation of the life of Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI in his own words and a welcome ending to Seewald's prior book-length interviews, Salt of The Earth, God and The World and Light of The World.

Of particular interest to me was the Pope Emeritus' recollections of his intellectual interactions with fellow academics in philosophy and theology, his experience as a peritus at Vatican II, and his appraisals of political figures he encountered in the course of his pontificate.

Throughout the interview his character shines through as a man of genuine faith, conviction and humility -- who regardless of his impressive theological stature and academic legacy is nonetheless capable of receiving criticism and correction from colleagues ("he reproached me many times, which is possible and proper among friends"), appreciative of those instances in life in where one is "made small" as opportunities for Christlike self-mortification ("That does someone good: to recognize once again one's utter poverty").

Likewise as Pope, cognizant of very clear ethical disagreements with political leaders (Obama, Castro, Putin), was able to see their humanity as well:

"I got to know these people, and not only from their political and tactical sides. What was generally impressive about these encounters was discerning that -- although these people indeed think very differently to us on many issues -- they certainly try to see what is right."

And so with respect to agnostics, professed atheists and left-wingers, "if they think and speak honestly. Of course there are fanatics, who are only functionaries and just dispense their working slogans. But if they are human beings, one can see that they are somehow restless inside..."

Above all, and as with prior interviews, he comes across as one whose life -- and pontificate -- "put God and faith at the center [and] Holy Scripture in the foreground"; "to discover God again, to discover Christ again, and so find the centrality of faith again" -- and for whom "the important thing is that the faith endures today. I see this as the central task. All the rest is just administrative issues..."

[Michael Joosten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether or not anything else is published under Joseph Ratzinger's name, this reads as his good-bye. Pope Benedict is as clear transcribed as in writing--and he is crystalline in his writing--but there is an added warmth in the transcription. The Seewald interviews are among my favourite Ratzinger books because of this, but it is perhaps especially appropriate in the context of Last Testament.

The content of the book is about 80% biographical, spanning Joseph Ratzinger's childhood through his papacy, material for the biography Seewald intend(s/ed) to write (though, personally, I wonder if I would enjoy a biography, even in capable hands, as much as the interviews--there would be more content, since other people's perspectives on the Pope Emeritus would be integrated, but it would be at a further remove). The rest--the initial 20% or so of the book--is a reaction to Pope Benedict's resignation. Leading with this and then traversing Benedict's life up to that point may contain redundancies for some readers, but this feels appropriate: this book is the conclusion to the essay that is Benedict's life. The various parts of recapitulated and put in the context of the whole.

I was 18 when John Paul II died and Benedict XVI announced his impending resignation on my 26th birthday (which... made for a dour mood that day). He was the pope of my formative years, from World Youth Day, through seminary and leaving seminary and leaving Canada and getting married. As an academic and a German and an introvert, as someone too Vatican II for the SSPX and too continuity for the liberal fringe, he was a pope I always identified with. I have missed his papacy, flawed though it was, and I dread the day when he moves on--the last of my grandfathers, so to speak, to pass away.

[Thadeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very inspirational to me. I generally don’t like the idea of interview-based books, but the thoughtful line and coherence of questions made this a very good read. In part, possibly, because it was conversational and it was as if Pope Benedict was speaking with the reader.

I gained much insight into the man, influences on his life, topics that he felt were his mission to share. Hearing on a wide range of topics from how he corresponded and interacted with other theologians, to what types of daily habits he had in various times of his life.

Pope Benedict opened up for me the thoughts and the life of a person of intellection, a little of what the life of a professor might lead, and overall this drew me in. I feel closer to that profession now, and also closer to Pope Benedict. I look forward to reading more of his writing!

Highly recommended!

[Lazaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare hearing Pope Benedict give off the cuff remarks, and this book is really full of it. Just confirms how much of a humble and holy man he is, full of faith, with a firm and deep understanding.

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

un verdadero regalo

[Kenneth Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Last Testament" is a very good book that reviews the life of Pope Benedict from the time he was a boy to the present moment (2017). The author, Peter Seewald, has written several books on Pope Benedict, and he seems to know all the right questions to ask. The book is essentially an easygoing interview with Pope Benedict and answers very challenging questions, personally and for both the Catholic Church and society.

Pope Benedict paints a picture of life in Bavaria as a young Joseph Ratzinger and how it quickly changed when the Nazis came to power. He was conscripted into their army, and following the war, suffered several months in a prisoner of war camp.

Perhaps the major highlight of the book is his vision for society and the Church. He offers optimism for the future and details recommendations as a way forward.

Pope Benedict is a simple, humble man but a serious scholar and theologian. The media presented him as a source of conflict or an obstacle to progress; however, one really sees the hand of God throughout his life. He is visionary, on a different intellectual plane, and well worth reading.

[Thomas Zwilling · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love Pope Benedict, don't we, folks?

[Antonio Gallo · Rating 4 out of 5]

L'eterna domanda dell'uomo è: dov'è questo Dio di cui parliamo, da cui speriamo di ricevere aiuto? Come e dove lo si può collocare? Noi ora conosciamo sempre di più la vastità dell'universo con i suoi miliardi di pianeti, gli infiniti sistemi solari, ma finora, per quanto lontano si possa spingere il nostro sguardo, in nessun luogo c'è qualcosa che ci potremmo immaginare come il cielo in cui dovrebbe troneggiare Dio.

(Ride) E' perchè non esiste un luogo in cui Lui troneggia. Dio stesso è il luogo al di sopra di tutti i luoghi.

Se lei guarda nel mondo, non vede il cielo, ma vede ovunque le tracce di Dio: nella struttura della materia, nella razionalità della realtà. E anche dove vede gli uomini, trova tracce di Dio. Vede il vizio, ma anche la virtù, l'amore.

Sono questi i luoghi dove c'è Dio. Bisogna staccarsi da queste antiche concezioni spaziali, che non sono più applicabili non fosse perchè l'universo non è infinito nel senso stretto del termine, pur se è abbastanza grande perchè noi uomini lo si possa definire come tale. Dio non può essere da qualche parte dentro o fuori di esso, la sua presenza è completamente diversa.

E' molto importante rinnovare anche il nostro modo di pensare, liberarsi delle categorie spaziali e intenderle da una nuova prospettiva. Come esiste una presenza spirituale tra gli uomini - due persone possono essere vicine pur vivendo in continenti diversi perchè questa dimensione di prossimità non si identifica con quella spaziale - così Dio non è "in qualche posto", ma è la realtà.

La realtà fondamento di tutte le realtà. E per questa realtà non ho bisogno di un "dove", perchè "dove" è già una delimitazione, non è già più l'infinito, il creatore, che è l'universo, che comprende ogni tempo e non è lui stesso tempo ma lo crea ed è sempre presente. Credo che molte delle nostre percezioni vadano riviste. Anche la nostra idea complessiva dell'uomo è cambiata.

Non abbiamo più seimila anni di storia, ma non so quanti di più. Lasciamo pure aperte queste ipotesi numeriche. In ogni caso, sulla base di questa conoscenza, la struttura del tempo, quello della storia, oggi si rivela mutata. Qui il compito primario della teologia è di svolgere un lavoro ancor più approfondito e offrire agli uomini nuove possibilità di rappresentare Dio.

La traduzione della teologia e della fede nella lingua odierna è ancora molto carente; è necessario creare schemi di rappresentazione, aiutare gli uomini a capire che oggi non devono cercare Dio in "qualche posto". C'è molto da fare."

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course it gets 5 stars. It's Benedict. But I will say in order of superiority (noting that I've yet to read the Ratzinger Report...but that wasn't a Seewald interview):

1.) Salt of the Earth is the absolute best. It's just such a good book.

2.) Light of the World is really good.

3.) Last Testament is really good, but like 80% of it was covering the same ground as the other interviews. I think this book was made because Seewald is going to write a definitive biography of Benedict, so he needed the do one last get together.

4.) God and the World. I just haven't been able to read it all the way through yet. I think it's because it's more of a theological treatise and less about church politics. I like reading theology, but for some reason it doesn't work in the interview setting....

Read it if you love Benedict. But I will say, there was a lot of name dropping without any context (like if you don't know who Hugo Rahner, Karl Rahner, Balthasar, de Lubac, or any of the heads of vatican offices are then you are going to get confused).

He does go into more detail about his relationships with different people which I found very interesting, but overall it's always fun to listen to Benedict talk about his life and thought.

[Don Mario · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molto interessante e a tratti commovente nei primi capitoli, dove si trattano temi di fondo. Poi l'intervistatore si lancia in un dettagliato excursus storico, con molte domande e questioni irrilevanti su fatti e personaggi della storia teologica ed ecclesiastica dell'ultimo secolo, non molto interessanti per chi non li ha conosciuti.

Ritorna un po' di interesse nell'ultima parte, ovviamente perché l'ordine cronologico arriva ad affrontare l'epoca e le questioni che tutti abbiamo vissuto.

Splende la disarmante semplicità di un uomo che non ha mai avuto interesse per le trame e l'apparenza, e ora meno che mai. Si percepisce una grande pace nei confronti degli eventi e delle persone passate. Si apprezza l'annotazione delle frequenti risate e sorrisi del Papa e anche alcune battute di spirito. Colpisce anche il distacco con cui parla di suoi difetti: la timidezza, i discorsi non sempre ben preparati, una certa dose di testardaggine, i problemi di salute...

A volte le domande dell'intervistatore sembrano stonare rispetto allo stile e al clima psicologico dell'intervistato. Ma Benedetto non abbocca mai: a domande sciocche o di gossip risponde laconicamente o con una battuta e lascia cadere.

[JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

As if it was an ordinary thing to read an interview with the Pope Emeritus …

Kind of strange feeling knowing that it might be last time he offers his wisdom and as he did all the time as the cardinal and later as the Pope, he simply puts the threads of his thoughts together. Humbly yet wisely.

As many, I have read his interviews before, so I am accustomed to the style of Peter Seewald who sometimes writes at very large. Yet, this time, I guess because of knowing that it is the last one, I was a little bit impatient to get to the answers and not to spend eternity with questions.

Inspiring, thoughtful, spiritual … But if you are still searching for THE answers of abdication or the scandals … well, you might not find it in here ;)

[Brideshead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profundo, interesante, el Papa emérito repasa de nuevo su vida con los ojos de su actual situación. Analiza también la situación d ella Iglesia y el mundo con optimismo y esperanza. Una mente lúcida que no deja de insistir en el papel de la oración en la vida de todo creyente.

[Angela Boord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as Light of the World; I do wish that Seewald had asked more questions that allowed Pope Benedict to expand rather than to give answers of only a few words. But it's still Pope Benedict, and his humility, intellect, and dedication to the Church shine through regardless.

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. A gem of a book.

[Ronald Aylward · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very candid interview with a Pope who was an excellent teacher and writer, but recognized his limitations in administration. He is now back to studying and reading.

[Torp Moniantt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ova knjiga je jedan dugačak intervju s jednom, u svakom pogledu, zadivljujućom osobom.
Benedikt XVI razlaže svoj život i svoje svećeničko, profesorsko i papinsko djelovanje u razgovoru s nenametljivim, ali zainteresiranim novinarom, i čini to prilično otvoreno i razumljivo. Fascinantno je čitati njegove odgovore o posljednjim životnim stvarima i putu za kojeg zna da ga čeka, ali i promišljanja o mladosti. Pomalo je kao slušanje djeda ili pradjeda dok priča o svemu i svačemu, ali u ovom slučaju to je uvijek precizno i sadržajno, nema blebetanja.
Pitanja o problemima moderne Crkve ne izbjegava, odgovori na njih su čak i među opširnijima, tako da i oni željni skandala mogu u ovoj knjizi pronaći njegovo mišljenje o svemu tome, a s vremenskim odmakom kojeg si u tim situacijama nije mogao priuštiti. Možda i ti kritičari nauče ponešto gledajući njegovu stranu.
Čitatelj ima osjećaj da razgovara s iznimno inteligentnom i mudrom osobom, a koja je u isto vrijeme jako ponizna i skromna (nekoliko puta Benedikt XVI samog sebe naziva bijednim i malenim) i to se nekako širi kroz čitatelja da i on pokuša biti takav (barem je meni bilo tako).
Najveći problem u čitanju mi je bio što nedovoljno poznajem teologe dvadesetog stoljeća (nisam ni s drugima veliki stručnjak), za mnoge papine suvremenike i kolege nisam nikad ni čuo, pa se osjećam pomalo zakinut u poglavlju koje se tiče njegovog profesorskog puta, ali tekst ipak daje dovoljno informacija da pohvatam glavne smjernice razgovora, iako ne mogu o tome steći neki širi pogled.
Zanimljivo je kako Benedikt XVI blago govori o svojim protivnicima u i izvan Crkve, a kojih je doista bilo mnogo, pogotovo u Njemačkoj (nitko nije prorok u svome zavičaju, valjda?). Kad mu novinar čak i spomene uvrede koje su ti ljudi izricali o njemu, on ne pokazuje ni mrvicu želje za uzvraćanjem, mržnje ili barem obične ljutnje. Čitatelj ima osjećaj da se on izdigao iznad toga i pobijedio ih ljubavlju prema neprijateljima, baš kao što bi Isus želio da činimo. I čitatelj nema osjećaj da pritom laže ili nešto muti, kao kad čitamo ili slušamo mnoge političare i moćnike ovog svijeta.
Pomalo mi je tek žao što se intervju gotovo ne dotiče njegovog svećeništva, već je koncentriran na papinstvo i profesorsku "karijeru", i što na neka "obična" pitanja odgovara s "da" ili "ne", a da ih ne obrazlaže smatrajući da je rekao dovoljno.

U svakom slučaju, uživao sam čitajući ovu knjigu i zasigurno ću joj se vraćati još puno puta.

[Thiago Sant'Anna Da Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

":: Seewald: Quando e por quem foi escrita a carta de renúncia?

:: Bento XVI: Por mim. Não posso dizer exatamente quando, mas no máximo duas semanas antes.

:: Seewald: Por que em latim?
:: Bento XVI: Porque algo tão importante assim se faz em latim."



":: Seewald: Por que o senhor não se chamou João Paulo III?"
:: Bento XVI: Senti como inadequado, pois seria um parâmetro ao qual eu não poderia corresponder. Eu era outra figura, outro caráter, tinha outra espécie de carisma. Ou falta de carisma."

[Wendy Wong Schirmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's important about this intimate portrait of Benedict XVI is that one gets an overview of the Church before and after the Second Vatican Council and the contours of his formation as a thinker-- and always in light of his simple, childlike faith in God.

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, entertaining and easy-to-read, this is apparently the last interview given by Pope Benedict. It shows the vision, in spite of his considerable intellectual ability, of a simple man of faith, with a great love for God and Holy Church.

[Marc Livingstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting interview that covers much of his life. Useful for providing an insight into a figure that has left a complex legacy behind.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Q&A with Pope

Very interesting review of his life history covering childhood to his retirement. Interesting accounts if youth and WW2 experience in addition to coverage of Catholic issues.

[Uota · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vis labiau ir labiau pamilstu Benediktą. Belieka sėsti lėktuvan ir skristi į Romą.