Pope Benedict XVI.: A legacy of modesty and depth

Bishop Bätzing is reminiscent of the 20th anniversary of the election of Benedict XVI.

On April 19, 2005, an important event took place in the World Church: the election of the German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI. The chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing, paid tribute to this anniversary in Bonn and emphasized Benedict's outstanding importance for the Catholic Church. He spoke of a theologically sound and clear language of Benedict and his personal modesty, which the Church would have shaped.

Bätzing also noticed that Benedicts have left traces in Germany for many years. He recalled his roles as a professor, bishop and cardinal before he was finally elected to the Pope. This trip through various positions in the church testifies to deep commitment and rooting in faith, which led to an open dialogue with the intellectual challenges of the present.

The choice of Benedict XVI. was announced at 6.40 p.m. after white smoke had risen from the Sistine chapel, which confirmed the election. In his first speech to the believers on the middle balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Benedikt described himself as "modest workers in the Lord's vineyard". This humility was a formative element of his term and is still a reminder for many Catholics.

Pope Benedict XVI. Was not only a theologian of high rank, but also someone who acted with great respect for the tradition of the church. He was the first Pope to resign from his office for 700 years in February 2013 after convincing that he could no longer meet the requirements of the office. His resignation was a historical moment and a sign of his deep responsibility for the church. After his resignation, he lived almost ten years as an emeritus Pope in the Vatican, where he remained until his death on December 31, 2022.

The memory of Benedict XVI. raises questions about his theological orientation and his influence on Catholic teaching. The Catholic Church is still in a dynamic change, and the legacy of Benedikt has many considerations about the relationship between tradition and modernity in the church.