For anyone familiar with the Vatican, even remotely (someone like me), I have known who Ratzinger was for years. He has always written books and newspaper articles & given media interviews. He has always been one of the most accessible personalities in the Vatican. Very open and approachable.
Did he want to be pope? Well, reading this thread and knowing that he asked to retire three times in the past 15 or so years, I'd say no.
The College of Cardinals is a highly political institution.always has been, always will be..and Pope JP II was a master politican...I believe he favored Ratzinger, and let his wished becoem known in the last years of his Papacy..