Last Testament: In His Own Words

(Paperback)

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Description

Pope Benedict made history by being the first Pope in over a thousand years to resign from office. The Catholic Church the world over was stunned. Worn out by the internecine warfare in the Vatican, by corruption in the Church and by an endless series of clerical sex scandals he decided that the resolution of all these problems was outside his power for a man of his age. In this most touching and revealing book - the nearest Benedict will ever get to writing an autobiography - the author speaks with disarming honesty and humility of his inner life, his life of prayer and his firm belief in God. But he also addresses all the causes clbres which dogged his pontificate - The Vatileaks scandal, the error of readmitting a holocaust denier to full communion with the Church, his Regensburg speech which enraged Muslims, his childhood in Nazi Germany. He speaks of child molesting and other sexual scandals and how he bust a powerful gay mafia within the Vatican itself. On a more personal level he writes with great warmth of his successor Pope Francis, who he admits has a popular touch, a star quality which he has lacked. He also writes beautifully of his love of Mozart. This book comes as a final and fitting sequel to his previous works on Jesus of Nazareth.

Reviews

"The most sincere interview which Benedict XVI has given . . . It is gripping from the very beginning . . . An exquisite conversation between two people who know each other, like each other, and have mutual respect for one another . . . A fantastic book which should not be overlooked by any open-minded Catholic who wishes to learn from our great tradition but also wants to progress with the Church." - The Catholic Times

"Throughout there are moments of breathtaking candor . . . it's stunning to realize you're reading the inner thoughts--and confessions--of a former pope now speaking without the weight of that papal mantle . . . The portrait here is one that deepens and defends the place of Benedict in history." - Chicago Tribune

"There are beautiful moments in the book." - The Huffington Post

"The most revealing book yet on Benedict XVI . . . Seewald has gathered in perhaps the finest harvest yet. For more than a decade I have read everything I can about Benedict XVI, but I was amazed by the revelations in this new book." - Catholic Herald

"Joseph Ratzinger has certainly been a great theologian . . . Last Testament [is] revealing about who this underrated man really is . . . He bears comparison with the greatest doctors of the Church." - Prospect

"Prophetic and important analysis. The Testament is a fascinating read for this and so much more, and there is a consistent note of joyful and solid faith which is an inspiration." - Joanna Bogle, The Catholic World Report

"I can't begin to describe the influence that the writings of Joseph Ratzinger have had on me . . . but suffice it to say that this beautiful and compelling book may well be the final gem in the crown of his work that we've all been waiting for." - Paul Senz, The Catholic World Report

"[Last Testament] deepens our sense of the personality, gentleness, humor, and subtlety of the pope emeritus." - First Things

Author Bio

Pope Benedict XVI served as pope of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013. He was elected pope on 19 April 2005, was inaugurated on 24 April 2005 and resigned from the office on 28 February 2013. This is his final book.