Archbishop Gansweier recounts the last words of the Pope emeritus before his death. It is the “witness of God’s love” that characterizes the priestly life of Joseph Ratzinger, as Pope Francis recalled in 2016.
(Vatican News Network) The last words of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI were pronounced late at night, in the presence of only one of his nurses. It was around 3 in the morning on December 31st, just hours before he died. Ratzinger at that moment was not in critical condition, and the collaborators and assistants who assisted him were changing shifts, leaving only a nurse who did not speak German.
Archbishop Georg Gänswein, personal secretary of the Pope emeritus, recounted the situation with emotion. He said: “Benedict XVI said in a weak but clear voice in Italian: ‘Lord, I love you!’ I wasn’t there but the nurse told me about it later. Those were her last words from him. He can understand words, and then he loses the ability to express himself.”
“Lord, I love you!” These words almost sum up the life of Joseph Ratzinger, who for many years has been preparing for his last face to face with the Creator. On June 28, 2016, on the occasion of the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the ordination of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Pope Francis said in a speech that the Pope Emeritus has “witnessed to the love of God”, and this love “fills our hearts” keeps us safe in the storm.
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