Former Pope Benedict is lucid and vigilant but in bad condition

Pope Benedict XVI surprised the world in 2013 when he announced his resignation from the papacy, citing his “advanced age” as the reason.

The news of Benedict’s resignation was the first resignation of a pope in nearly 600 years. Gregory XII, the last pope to step down before dying, did so in 1415 to put an end to a papal succession dispute within the Catholic Church.

Benedict’s health has been deteriorating for a while now. Following allegations in German media that Benedict was unwell, the Vatican stated in 2020 that he had a “painful but not dangerous ailment.”

Two years previously, Benedict stated that “with the progressive diminishing of my physical forces, inwardly I am on a pilgrimage toward Home” in a rare public letter that was published in the Italian newspaper.

For many years, Benedict has been a significant figure in the Catholic Church.

Joseph Ratzinger, who was born in Germany in 1927, was ordained as a priest in 1951, elected a cardinal in 1977, and later served as Pope John Paul II’s top doctrinal advisor. After John Paul II’s passing in April 2005, he was chosen to become the 265th pope.

At the height of the global controversy regarding Catholic clergy sexual abuse, when the church was being torn apart by allegations of sexual assault and accompanying legal actions, Benedict was elected pope.

After a Church-commissioned inquiry into abuse by Catholic clergy there was published in January, recent criticism of his tenure as Archbishop of Munich and Freising, between 1977 and 1982, cast doubt on his legacy.

According to the investigation, he was made aware of four instances of child sex abuse, including two that occurred while he was living in Munich, but did nothing about them. He also admitted to attending a meeting concerning a predatory priest.

Later, Benedict responded to those accusations by acknowledging his attendance at the meeting but refuting claims that he did so on purpose.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) said many people would have “mixed feelings” about the life of Benedict. “Sadly, many clergy abuse victims are not out of the woods in terms of healing from their wounds and getting the justice they deserve,” SNAP wrote.

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