On Pope Benedict: Hans-Günther Kaufmann remembers - "Modesty touched me"

Created: 2023-01-02 16:04

By: Alexandra Korimorth

Have met several times: Hans-Günther Kaufmann (right) and Pope Benedict XVI, here at an audience on St. Peter's Square in Rome.

© private

The photographer and author of several spiritual books, Hans-Günther Kaufmann, remembers his encounters with Pope Benedict in an interview with Merkur.

Miesbach

– The news first of poor health and then of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

moves many in the district of Miesbach, where he celebrated services as Archbishop and Cardinal Josef Ratzinger.

This also applies to the photographer and author of a number of spiritual books, Hans-Günther Kaufmann from Miesbach.

In an interview, he tells what connects him to Josef Ratzinger.

Mr. Kaufmann, how did you meet Pope Benedict?

Hans Günther Kaufmann:

I didn't get to know Josef Ratzinger as Pope, but on various occasions where I was "also" there as a photographer, for example with the mountain riflemen.

He was archbishop in Munich then.

The first actual and personal encounter was through his confidante Thaddäus Kühnel from Holzkirchen.

He called me to photograph a mass in Rottach-Egern that Cardinal Ratzinger was celebrating on Ascension Day on May 20, 2004.

Kühnel mentioned that Cardinal Ratzinger appreciates my books very much and also collects them.

I thought that was a bit too polite, but I was very happy.

After the service, there was a lunchtime conversation with Cardinal Ratzinger in the presence of Monsignor Georg Gänswein and Thaddäus Kühnel.

from this day,

Closely connected: The Miesbach photographer and author Hans-Günther Kaufmann had known Josef Ratzinger since he was archbishop.

© Stefan Schweihofer

So he immediately fascinated you?

Hans-Günther Kaufmann:

I was more touched by his aura.

It was affection at first sight.

One is very self-conscious and approaches such an encounter with reverence.

His intellectual potential, speaking print-ready, was in itself very impressive.

But there really was a quiet affection there from the start, a feeling of being accepted and comfortable in his presence.

Affection, regardless of the world of difference of any offices.

Affection puts such differences into perspective.

So there were more encounters?

Hans-Günther Kaufmann:

Yes, several visits for the book "With the eyes of the Holy Father".

One time, when Josef Ratzinger was Curia Cardinal and in charge of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, we had dinner in an osteria.

Monsignor Gänswein and Thaddäus Kühnel were there.

That was "encounter".

We were able to exchange ideas for a good two hours - it was the first time that I was allowed to speak to the person, the personality Josef Ratzinger.

Main theme: Due to material prosperity, our society is drifting from a faith-based life to arbitrariness.

Is that how the third book came about?

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Hans Günther Kaufmann:

Yes, "24 Hours in the Life of the Catholic Church".

Many top photographers around the world captured what happens in a day in the life of the Church in a single day.

The book was then just finished when he was elected Pope.

When Weltbild-Verlag approached me to photograph a book about Pope Benedict's first visit to Germany, the encounters were very brief.

From then on I also met Pope Benedict XVI, no longer Josef Ratzinger.

After that we had several meetings in the Vatican, including a visit to Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of the Popes.

These were always official encounters, i.e. within the framework of general audiences.

As I said, I was always impressed by his intellectual potential and touched by his modesty.

In all our encounters he was reserved,

You're really touched by the news of his death, aren't you?

Hans-Günther Kaufmann:

Of course I'm with him mentally.

But I don't feel sadness, but rather joy that he was now able to approach what he lived his life for.

That he has now arrived at the goal of his path - in the light.

The interview was conducted by Alexandra Korimorth.

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