Last Testament: In His Own Words

Suppose you were offered an opportunity to interview Pope Benedict XVI for an hour a day for a series of days. What would you ask him? What format would you like the meeting to have?This is probably the last opportunity, of a total of four, that Peter Seewald has had to do this. By now, I have listened to all of the interviews. The first interview is  Salt of the Earth: The Church at the End of the Millennium , the second was:  Light of the World: The Pope, The Church and the Signs Of The Times , and  God and the World: A Conversation With Peter Seewald  being the third. I was very impressed by these. As with this book, I was interested initially and primarily in this because of the questions that were asked (the issues probed are listed above in the book description). They are ones that we all would probably like answers for. I am very curious. I wanted to hear how Pope Benedict would answer them.What makes it more interesting, Seewald does not supply the questions ahead of time. He asks. The pope responds. This gives us the chance to hear the Holy Father speak his mind unrehearsed. That's also the way the Pope wants it. It is here that we understand his grasp of the Church and its teachings, mission and history, as well as its problems, shortcomings, difficulties and failures. He hides from nothing. In fact, it is surprising how frank he is in his responses. It is almost as if he sympathizes with Seewald's looking for answers. He gives the Church a certain humanness that is very attractive, something that many are looking for at the parish level.One of the strongest impressions that he has left in my mind as Pope is that he describes his role, not as you might expect--the world leader of a billion Catholics--but as someone who is to bear witness to Christ. He does not pontificate. Pope Benedict is certainly not a light-weight. His wisdom and understanding of matters is such that he can break things down to people at all levels, including children. I was there witnessing this at World Youth Day in Cologne. It was amazing!I hope to also read this as an audiobook, which I think always adds to the satisfaction of it. It's not the Pope's voice, but you can imagine! As is the case with many books that I really like, I buy both the audio and either the hardcover or paperback edition. Doing that with a book like this allows me to dive into the text to draw whatever more I can from something like this interview I have listened to.A great contribution to the Church and to people of all faiths. I believe that this can help greatly in clearing up many misunderstandings people may have.A great read! A page-turner!

Full disclosure: I am a great Ratzinger fan, and I think that he is one of the most important Christian theologians of the last half century. Normally I read his theological works, so it was a particular pleasure to read this extended interview which, at a relaxed but insistent pace, takes us through some of this beautiful person's life and thoughts.I doubt whether the popular misconception of Ratzinger as cold and aloof will survive a reading of this book.Thank you for everything, Papa.

This third and last book of interviews between Pope Emeritus Benedict and Peter Seewald (the inside back cover jacket says "this is his (the Pope's) final book) features a treasure trove of memorable quotes. Though the answers aren't as detailed as either of the first two interview books between the two ("Salt Of The Earth" as Cardinal Ratzinger in 1996 and "Light Of The World" as Pope Benedict XVI in 2010), consider the nuggets of wisdom:On Faith:"I do not let go of the foundational certainty of faith ... if I do not understand something that doesn't mean it is wrong, but that I am too small for it. ... [O]ne must maintain firmly, in faith, that He (God) knows better." (10)On Heaven and the Beatific Vision:"[O]ne is immersed in a great ocean of joy and love, so to speak. ... God is so great that we never finish our searching. He is always new. With God there is perpetual, unending encounter, with new discoveries and new joy. ... At the same time, in an entirely human perspective, I look forward to being reunited with my parents, my siblings, my friends, and I imagine it will be as lovely as it was at our family home. ... (There is a) communal character of beatitude." (12)The media never seemed too fond of Benedict, seemingly enjoying speaking of him as "God's Rottweiler" and "The Enforcer", and maybe the Holy Father isn't too fond of them:"[I]t isn't the judgement of journalists that matters, but the judgement of the loving God." (5)In a number of places, the Holy Father speaks of the opposition to him within the leadership of the Catholic Church in Germany. Maybe the most succinct quote involving this is:"[C]ertain people in Germany have always attempted to bring me down." (198)There are so many interesting subjects covered in this book, including:Pope John Paul II (4, 43, 155, 157, 160, 164, 165, 167-177, 200, 208, 222).Pope John XXIII (121, 122, 126).Pope Pius XII (137).Obama (209).Putin (210, 211).Castro (91, 218, 219)Humanae Vitae (156, 157, 159)Priestly celibacy (158)Hitler (46, 57, 59, 72, 81, 112, 138).1968 (136, 154, 156).Beatlemania (136).Judaism (137, 138).And this is barely scratching the surface. I can't help but end with a few more quotes I like:"If a Pope is only getting applause, he has to ask himself whether or not he is doing things right." (xv)"Politics cannot simply be pragmatic, in the sense of 'we'll do something.' It must have a vision of the whole." (116)"[H]e (God) is love and He loves me - and as such, life should be guided by Him, by this power called love. ... [T]he living God .. touches the heart ... [He] knows me and loves me. ... [O]ne goes out of this world and will be there before God, and before the saints, and before friends and those who weren't friends. ... [A]ccept the finitude of this life and approach .. it inwardly, to come before God's countenance." (242, 105, 240)

I started it last night and I am very grateful that it is so easy to understand in that it is written in a question answer format. I don't think many refer to Pope Benedict XVI as innocent and charming but that is always my encounter with him and linear. He thinks and speaks rationally from one point to the next and does not obfuscate issues but makes them very clear, intriguing and understandable. I consider him a friend, a spiritual friend and we are graced to have one more book form him.

Our Politians could learn a lot from Pope Benedict. He was asked straight questions and gave straight answers. A wonderful Christian with a towering intellect

An amazing insight into a brilliant and holy man the like of which we may never hear of or see again. His assessment of the sickness of modern society is revealing and his faith in the salvation for man is profound.

This was disappointing, but still good. I was expecting a more in depth, almost memoir, with extended answers for each question. This is the transcript of an interview, which gives it a really authentic feel, but it's not so polished and deep. I'd contrast it with Cardinal Sarah's 'God or Nothing', which was also an interview, but felt much more prepared, and so could have far greater depth.This does give some good insights and perspectives from Pope Benedict. I was just expecting a different book

This is just a transcription of interviews with the writer. Of some interest because of who Benedict is, but it really is just a record of the conversations which ranged over many aspects of Benedict's life and work.Read it on the train/bus/plane. It's an OK read, but not anything more than a long magazine-type article.

I didn't expect to be moved by this book. I read it more out of curiosity but it doesn't matter if one agrees with pope Benedict one has to respect his integrity. Great read