Who Believes Is Not Alone: My Life Beside Benedict XVI

by Georg Gänswein

The collaboration between a future pope and young prelate is transformed into profound friendship when circumstances thrust Joseph Ratzinger into the Apostolic Palace, even as he expected to be released in retirement to his beloved Bavaria. Monsignor Georg Gänswein never left his side, and witnessed one of the most influential people of this century conduct his papacy on both sides of the curtain. From his appointment as private secretary in 2003, which was meant to be temporary, until the abdication of the pope in 2013 and subsequent years as emeritus, Monsignor Gänswein walked the same steps and weathered the same storms as his dear friend, the Roman Pontiff Benedict XVI. Here he offers the truth regarding the man and the papacy as a spiritual testament of a pope whose formidable legacy is often subject to unfounded characterizations of rigidity and secrecy. 



Written with the involvement of the regarded Vaticanista Saverio Gaeta, Mons. Gänswein offers an account of a particular decade in history and confronts false claims of intrigue and cover-up (Vatileaks, the Orlandi abduction case, the sexual abuse scandal, among other issues) to tell the real story of a pope who faced a changing landscape and a public who largely misunderstood him and his style of governance. Here we meet one of the most affable and intellectually formidable popes the Catholic Church has ever known, and a priest who might also be considered a prophet of the post-modern age. Gänswein brilliantly contextualizes many of Benedict's most poignant theological positions, and in giving us a sense of their origin reveals that Benedict seamlessly lived everything he promulgated. His faith was the single bulwark upon which his personality as both teacher and leader were built. No biography has yet to establish the integrity and heart of Joseph Ratzinger as well as his friend, Georg Gänswein, does here.



As a spiritual testament more than just a journalistic exposé, Gänswein provides something only he can give––namely, the candid intelligence and sanctity witnessed up close. This is a remarkable and singular contribution to the history of the papacy and the record of the life of a saint. As Gänswein asserts, knowing this man is to encounter heroic virtue and an invitation to meet God, the greatest lover of mankind. Pope Benedict's own friendship with God will continue to provide warmth for as long as there are people on this earth who believe.  

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Nonfiction, Biography

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2023

Reviews

[Cassidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I literally had no reason to read this except for the fact that I'm going through a capital P Phase right now and I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone unless you're in the grips of similar psychosis. This book doesn't attempt to be unbiased or give you that much context or be particularly transparent or be in depth about the things you wish it would go into more or anything else you might want in a biography but this is not quite a biography so that's not quite the purpose.

What *is* provided is almost 300 pages of Gänswein defending his man and what counts as interesting little details if you're me. My favorite parts are where Gänswein seems annoyed at something that occurred over a decade ago and explains some minutiae of his life and workings at the Vatican that led up to that event because I can really sense his intensely German annoyance radiating from the page.

[John Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archbishop Georg Gänswein’s memoir “Who Believes Is Not Alone: My Life Beside Benedict XVI” written with Saverio Gaeta’s assistance stands out as a book well worth reading. Personally, when John Paul II passed on to eternity, I never thought for a moment that any pope in my lifetime would ever be worthy to even stand in his shadow. However, Pope Benedict XVI never ceased to stun me with his humility, brilliance, gentle demeanor, and prayerful holiness; in fact, he is actually now my favorite pope. Reading this book is like having a veil lifted into the souls of two men: one the loyal follower of Jesus and the other the loyal secretary of a cardinal, a pope, and an emeritus. Oh, the depths of suffering and division that the devil never ceases to sow! Yet, the light is stronger than the darkness and faith, hope, and love will always win out in the end. This book is respectful and sincerely honest; I found deep insights both into the mind of Benedict and into the heart of his long while secretary. As one who has also suffered abuses of authority and humiliations galore, I was deeply moved by what both men have undergone and while Benedict is doubtless smiling along with JPII from the widow of heaven, I pray that Archbishop Gänswein will find peace, vindication, and a fulfilling mission one day soon.

[FR ADRIAN G HEAD · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy!

It is wonderful to be able to read a reliable book on the Life of someone whom I have always admired. I have been hurt by those who never really knew him or understood him and who spoke unjustly and unfairly about him

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing and inspirational read.

[Thomas George Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taken from his personal association with Pope Benedict XV1, Archbishop Ganswein has written a most compelling and well balanced account of the late Pope.

Archbishop Ganswein, also, minces no words concerning some of the controversy surrounding Benedict's eight year Pontificate.

[Václav Kubíček · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the closest insight that one can get into Benedict's life after the papal election in 2005. The book is rather apologetic, stressing medially vibrant topics such as the resignation, vatileaks, relationship with Pope Francis, etc. But not only one gets oriented in these things; Ganswein draws a convincing picture of a holy man whose priority was always the good of the Church.

[Conor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read with interesting insights into Pope Benedict and the relationship between Pope Francis and Pope Benedict.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the out of public life of Papa Benedict and of inner workings of the Vatican. I wish it had been more. I think many books could have been written by Archbishop Georg Ganswein, who was the personal secretary of Pope Benedict and this was just a teeny opening into things.

Just the bits that were included (and what I already have seen of Pope Benedict) there is a total universe of difference between him and our current Pope. I sure miss him.

[Andre David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique insight into the personal and public life of Benedict as seen through the eyes of his private secretary , Georg Gänswein for 19 years from 2003-2022, until Benedict’s death. We are giving insights into the Vatican leaks , the abdication of Benedict as active Pope as well as details into his early transition being Pope Emeritus.

Also the theology of Pope Benedict XVI is discussed from his many publications to his three encyclicals . All of which are fruit from his important role as an architect of Vatican II. Gänswein also describes the deep bond Ratzinger shared with Pope JPII . The two were a powerful united force for the Catholic faith.

Gänswein is still young , only 69 years old as I wrote this review , so I continue to hope for a second and revised edition to appear with even more insights that will surface in Gänswein’s retirement .

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like personal accounts but the structure feels disorganized, especially at the beginning. I would have preferred it as an actual interview rather than an interview turned into a first person account.

[Bryan Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many valuable elements of church history, biography, theology and the spiritual life.

[Aine Beam · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good!! Can read a bit defensive at times, but a must read for anyone interested in politics or theology. Does a great job of explaining the politics of the Vatican.