[ad_1]
Joseph ratzinger he hardly speaks anymore. This is what emerges from the story of one of the cardinals newly created by Pope Francis.
Now it has become a practice: when Jorge Mario Bergoglio appoints cardinals, they go to visit, accompanied by the Argentine pontiff, the emeritus. The “two popes” thus have the opportunity to speak, even for a few minutes. These are official meetings, regardless of the times in which the former archbishop of Buenos Aires visits his predecessor in the Mother of the church, the monastery where Benedict XVI chose to live a life of prayer after his resignation from the throne of Peter. And every time the images of the emeritus jump in public, they try to understand what his health conditions are.
As reported by The messenger, the cardinal who spoke of Ratzinger’s state of health is Mario Grech. One of the thirteen that Bergoglio has just created through the last Consistory. Which is destined, according to the background, to expand the majority of “bergoglian” cardinals within the Conclave. Ratzinger expressed the situation that worries him closely this way: “The Lord has taken my word to make me appreciate the silence.” The emeritus would not be able to speak fluently therefore, but we know this thanks to recent revelations from monsigno Georg Gaenswein, who is still the former pontiff’s personal secretary, how the German theologian has maintained a rare clarity of mind, despite his age.
Cardinal Grech added a detail: “But he tried to encourage us to continue in the adventure with the Lord.” The former pope does not speak as he did during his pontificate, but his message remains the same. And the new cardinals could still receive the indication that Benedict XVI wanted to give. Also, Monsignor Gaenswein, a few weeks ago, revealed that the walks through the Vatican gardens of the emeritus continue. Of course, these are no longer the times of thousands of steps a day and Benedict XVI needs help, but the former Holy Father has not renounced one of his best-known customs.
During these months, numerous rumors have circulated about the state of health of Benedict XVI. Some of these rumors have been totally denied, while others have found confirmation – as in the case of the dermatological pathology apparently contracted after the trip to Germany at the bedside of his brother Georg. Ratzinger has also eradicated this pathology. Immediately afterwards, the emeritus had to face the death of his brother who, as you will remember, was consecrated on the same day as the young priest who would later become Pope. Georg’s entire inheritance, putting everything at the disposal of the Holy See.
Therefore, Ratzinger is forced to deal with silence, which nevertheless has great spiritual value for the Christian-Catholic religion.
