A private letter from Benedict XVI sparked speculation: Does the former Pope long for death?
His closest confidante denied - and praised the ex-pontiff's "joie de vivre".
Rome - After a letter of condolence from ex-Pope Benedict for a deceased friend, Benedict's private secretary Georg Gänswein countered spicy speculations: the former pontiff felt no longing for death, the archbishop made clear.
Ex-Pope Benedict: letter of condolence arouses speculation - familiar Gänswein reacts
He rejected far-reaching interpretations of the letter.
In the letter of condolence, Benedict XVI noted that his former colleague had arrived in the afterlife and that he hoped “that I will be able to join them soon”.
The letter is "meant to be kind and comes from the heart," Gänswein told the
picture
.
“But it should not be translated as saying that Pope Benedict no longer has any desire to live.
On the contrary."
Benedict "joyful" - conscious preparation for death "be many years"
In view of his old age and physical condition, Benedict was “consciously preparing for death,” said the confidante of the pontiff.
“Pope Benedict has been doing this for many years.
Nevertheless, he is absolutely cheerful.
Stable in his physical weakness, crystal clear in the head and blessed with his typical Bavarian humor. "
Benedikt wrote in the condolence letter for his former Regensburg professor and friend Gerhard Winkler that the news of his death "struck him deeply".
Born in Bavaria, he has lived in a monastery in the Vatican Gardens since he resigned from office in February 2013.
In 2020 his brother Georg Ratzinger died.
(
dpa / fn
)