Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.
received a visit from the Regensburger Domspatzen on the occasion of his 70th anniversary as a priest.
They were enthusiastic.
Regensburg / Rome - For the 70th anniversary of his ordination, a group of former Regensburg cathedral sparrows * welcomed the retired Pope Benedict XVI.
Visited in the Vatican.
The six former choirboys performed two services in the house chapel of the monastery in which Pope Francis' predecessor lives.
Then they got the opportunity to talk to the Bavarian, because the former head of the church invited the group into his living room.
Benedikt's brother Georg Ratzinger, who died last year, was with the Domspatzen Cathedral Kapellmeister from 1964 to 1994.
The contact between him and many former students remained afterwards, reports Tobias Appl.
The visit of the group brought back memories of the time and of his brother in the former Pope.
“He was deeply moved,” says Appl.
Visit to Benedict XVI: "Very special experience"
The 45-year-old speaks of a “very special experience”.
They were with Benedict XVI * three times on two days.
got together.
The former Pope celebrated two services while sitting in a wheelchair together with his private secretary Georg Gänswein.
According to Appl, Benedict's voice is changeable.
Sometimes it is strong and then again brittle and difficult to understand.
The cathedral sparrows would have sung pieces of the priestly ordination and those that were close to Georg Ratzinger's heart, such as “Lift your eyes” from the oratorio “Elias” by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy.
At an afternoon meeting in Benedict's private rooms, folk and evening songs were on the program.
"That was very well received."
Former Regensburg cathedral sparrows describe Benedict as a very humorous person
“Then we sat together in a circle and toasted. There was champagne, it was a very special drink. ”Benedict said of his ordination as a priest, that there was a lot to laugh about. “He's a very humorous person.” In general, there was a relaxed, family atmosphere. It was not at all stiff. He also has an amazingly good, precise memory. Benedikt knew details of his brother's CD recordings as well as family backgrounds and anecdotes about the six cathedral sparrows.
However, the former Pope is not a football fan, said Appl.
The afternoon meeting took place on the day of the European Championship match between the German and English national teams.
At best, Benedict can tell him how football games ended.
He does not respect her - unlike his private secretary.
He watched the second half of the round of 16 game together with the Domspatzen.
"He is enthusiastic about sports and knows his way around."
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
used to live near Regensburg
Benedict XVI
used to live near Regensburg * when his brother conducted the Domspatzen as Domkapellmeister.
The brothers were deeply connected.
When Georg Ratzinger became weaker at the end of June 2020, Benedict XVI had him.
Surprisingly visited in Regensburg.
At one of the meetings between the two, Tobias Appl was present, as he relates.
“That was a great honor.” The brothers felt a great longing to say goodbye to each other.
"That was very moving."
Ten days after the departure of his brother, who was two years younger than him, Georg Ratzinger died on July 1, 2020 at the age of 96.
(ly with dpa)
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