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Benedict XVI: His Life and Thought
In these pages Benedict XVI shares his story for the first time since his retirement from the papacy. Joseph Ratzinger is widely recognized as one of the most brilliant theologians and spiritual leaders of our time. Born in Germany in 1929, he lived through Nazism, war, and Communism, like John Paul II, who after his surprising election in 1978, insisted on having Ratzinger at his side for his whole twenty-seven-year pontificate.
When Ratzinger was elected Pope in 2005, he took the name Benedict XVI. He opened a path of purification for the Roman Catholic Church at a time when it was shaken by financial and sexual scandals. He has repeatedly said that Europe must return to its Christian roots and build a new humanism for the twenty-first century.
Benedict XVI was misunderstood by many, and in 2013, he astonished the world by resigning from the papacy. Many saw this gesture as a sign of the decline of Catholicism, but it was the opposite: it was a seed sown in the hope of bringing the Church a younger, more vigorous leadership in the face of so many daunting challenges.
Elio Guerriero, who for many years has had an ongoing relationship with the Pope Emeritus, presents a thorough, well-rounded portrait of the brilliant intellectual and humble man of the Church whom many more have come to love and respect since his resignation. This book includes a Foreword by Pope Francis, and contains the first interview of Benedict XVI since the end of his pontificate.
When Ratzinger was elected Pope in 2005, he took the name Benedict XVI. He opened a path of purification for the Roman Catholic Church at a time when it was shaken by financial and sexual scandals. He has repeatedly said that Europe must return to its Christian roots and build a new humanism for the twenty-first century.
Benedict XVI was misunderstood by many, and in 2013, he astonished the world by resigning from the papacy. Many saw this gesture as a sign of the decline of Catholicism, but it was the opposite: it was a seed sown in the hope of bringing the Church a younger, more vigorous leadership in the face of so many daunting challenges.
Elio Guerriero, who for many years has had an ongoing relationship with the Pope Emeritus, presents a thorough, well-rounded portrait of the brilliant intellectual and humble man of the Church whom many more have come to love and respect since his resignation. This book includes a Foreword by Pope Francis, and contains the first interview of Benedict XVI since the end of his pontificate.
706 pages, Hardcover
First published August 30, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 9, 2019
A brilliant intellectual biography. Not simply an account of Pope Benedict's life but it offers detailed summeries of his theological and intellectual propositions throughout his life. A beautiful account of a great Doctor of the Church.
March 12, 2022
Reading this book was a pleasant surprise. To be honest, at first I did not think I was going to enjoy it, but since it was a Christmas gift from my dear fiancé, I gave it a go. As soon as I opened it I could not put it down. Immediately the words from the very first page had a pleasant flow to it, because the book has a very nice structure to it. It’s very thorough and thought out, on top of that, reading the book felt like I was on a pilgrimage and I began to develop a friendship with Pope Benedict XVI. He lead an amazing life, in complete service and defense of the Church. Always seeking to bring the world close to Christ. The book demonstrates the Pope’s love for Church, his humility and service, his love for work and study, even his struggles, fears, and anxieties; you get a real sense of who Pope Benedict XVI is. The book is printed on really nice and fine paper, but you can’t really see the words on the other side of the page so the length of the book can be deceiving, it’s over 700 pages but well worth the read! I hope everyone gets a chance to read about his life and thought some day. Reading this book was a pleasant surprise. To be honest, at first I did not think I was going to enjoy it, but since it was a Christmas gift from my dear fiancé, I gave it a go. As soon as I opened it I could not put it down. Immediately the words from the very first page had a pleasant flow to it, because the book has a very nice structure to it. It’s very thorough and thought out, on top of that, reading the book felt like I was on a pilgrimage and I began to develop a friendship with Pope Benedict XVI. He lead an amazing life, in complete service and defense of the Church. Always seeking to bring the world close to Christ. The book demonstrates the Pope’s love for Church, his humility and service, his love for work and study, even his struggles, fears, and anxieties; you get a real sense of who Pope Benedict XVI is. The book is printed on really nice and fine paper, but you can’t really see the words on the other side of the page so the length of the book can be deceiving, it’s over 700 pages but well worth the read! I hope everyone gets a chance to read about his life and thought some day.
May 11, 2019
Fantastic overview of Ratzinger's theological views and his life. He is a very intelligent and interesting man.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews