Benedict "very ill": friend from Bavaria reports from conversation - "Gänswein read the words from him"
Created: 01/01/2023 04:59
By: Dominik Goettler
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
arrives at the airport for his return flight to the Vatican.
© Sven Hoppe/dpa-Pool/dpa
Last Saturday a friend from Bavaria spoke to Benedict XVI.
In an interview with "Merkur" he reports on his impressions.
Holzkirchen – Thaddäus Kühnel, 78, from Holzkirchen in the Miesbach district south of Munich, has had a long friendship with the retired Pope Benedict.
For decades he always drove to the Vatican in the run-up to Christmas to supply Benedict and other church dignitaries with Advent wreaths from Bavaria.
In the interview he talks about the most recent conversation between the two, about how he keeps in touch with Benedikt - and what he appreciates about him.
Pope Benedict “very ill”: friend reports from conversation – “Gänswein read the words from him”
Mr. Kühnel, Pope Francis has asked for prayers for Benedict, the Pope Emeritus is very ill.
You have a very close relationship with Benedikt.
When was the last time you had contact?
We only spoke on the phone last Saturday.
He wasn't very well, he can't speak well anymore.
But we were still able to talk a little about private matters.
He is very frail, but was mentally fit.
Private secretary Georg Gänswein translated, so to speak, and read the words from his lips.
Are you worried?
Oh you know, at this age, at 95, you can't expect to have so many more years ahead of you.
It's always boiled up that he's sick.
That is also true.
I don't know if it's life-threatening.
But you never know what God says.
When was the last time you saw him in person?
That must have been about two years ago.
I brought him Advent wreaths from Bavaria to the Vatican for almost 40 years.
Since 1982, when Benedict moved to the Vatican as Cardinal of the Curia.
It was a regular routine for me.
Christmas wreaths and Easter candles.
He was happy every time like a little child.
Pope Benedict: Friend from Bavaria appreciates "goodness" - "We spent a lot of time"
Where does her close connection to Benedict come from?
I was a banker at Hauck Aufhäuser and met him in 1977 at the Primusquelle in Bad Adelholzen over dinner.
He was there on vacation with his brother and sister.
A friendship grew out of this.
And when he left Munich, he asked me if I would be willing to support him further.
When we said goodbye at the cathedral, I said: If you need anything, I'll always be there.
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Did you never lose contact?
It so happened that I was his chauffeur when he was in Bavaria.
I picked him up from the airport and brought him back.
That was a nice routine.
For example, when he went on vacation with his brother, he called my secretary and asked if I was there.
I always organized my time so that I was there.
What do you appreciate about him?
His kindness and his modesty.
We've spent a lot of time together.
When it became pope, the safety precautions were too difficult, and then I couldn't drive it anymore.
He regretted that very much.
When he called my secretary for the first time after his papal election, he still answered as Cardinal Ratzinger.
Then she said: No, no, you are Pope now!
That's how he is.
One of the greatest theologians ever, in my opinion.
And still humble.
Interview: Dominik Goettler
