Ratzinger’s “Deep Communion and Friendship with Pope Francis”

La Stampa-Vatican Insider ^ | 8/24/16 | Andrea Tornielli

[marshmallow]

The Pope Emeritus talks to Elio Guerriero: “What [Francis] says about being close to other people are not just words. He puts them into practice with me”. Razinger says the fact he did not feel up to the visit to Rio for WYD was a decisive factor in his resignation

“Obedience to my successor has always been unquestionable. Then there is a sense of deep communion and friendship,” the Pope Emeritus said ahead of the publication of Peter Seewald’s book-length interview with Benedict XVI in a few days time. The conversations in this book, titled “Latest conversations”, took place after Benedict XVI’s historic decision to resign from the papacy. Italian newspaper La Repubblica gives readers a taste of these conversations by publishing a dialogue between Ratzinger and Elio Guerriero, editor of the Italian edition of Ratzinger’s works, who had a chance to speak to the former Pope.

The confirmation given about the timeframe within which Ratzinger decided to resign and the key role intercontinental trips played in this – particularly the visit to Rio de Janeiro for WYD 2013, which Benedict XVI did not feel up to - are significant aspects. “There were numerous commitments which I felt I was no longer able to carry through,” Ratzinger explained. “Notably, the World Youth Day which had been scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the summer of 2013. I was very certain of two things. After the experience of the trip to Mexico and Cuba, I no longer felt able to embark on another very demanding visit. Furthermore, according to the format of these gatherings, which had been established by John Paul II, the Pope’s physical presence there was paramount. A television link or any other such technological solution was out of the question. This was another reason why.....

[SkyPilot]

Sure, everyone is friends with their blackmailers and coup plotters. Who isn’t?

[ebb tide]

I need scarcely remind you of how impressed I was in Cuba to see the way in which Raul Castro wishes to lead his country onto a new path, without breaking with the immediate past.

The more Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, following his resignation, speaks publicly and plays lap dog to Bergoglio, the less respect I have for him.

In his DECLARATION of February 10, 2013, Pope Benedict concluded: "With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer."

[Mrs. Don-o]

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[piusv]

Furthermore, according to the format of these gatherings, which had been established by John Paul II, the Pope’s physical presence there was paramount. A television link or any other such technological solution was out of the question.

So, the novelty of JPII was much more important than Catholic Tradition regarding papal term of office. Mr. Tradition my you-know-what.

[marshmallow]

The confirmation given about the timeframe within which Ratzinger decided to resign and the key role intercontinental trips played in this – particularly the visit to Rio de Janeiro for WYD 2013, which Benedict XVI did not feel up to - are significant aspects.

This excuse is so breathtakingly lame that it makes me wonder if Benedict is not sending some sort of a signal here. He quit the papacy because he couldn't make a plane trip??!!

WTH?!

[piusv]

If he is sending some sort of signal, he needs to quit wussyfooting around.