Bavarian villagers describe Benedict XVI: aloof, appeasing and well-read

Record ID: 1704760

  • Title: Bavarian villagers describe Benedict XVI: aloof, appeasing and well-read
  • Date: 1st January 2023
  • Summary: CANDLE EXTERIOR OF CHURCH FLAGS IN FRONT OF CHURCH WITH BLACK RIBBON (SOUNDBITE) (German) HOLGER PARKITNY, ALTOETTING LOCAL, SAYING: "He was very human. Very upsetting the passing away, even though it was expected, I must say quite honestly. But, he was a kind-hearted person, we will miss him." (SOUNDBITE) (German) HEINRICH SCHICKANIEDER, RESIDENT OF ALTOETTING, SAYING: "The way I received the news was that he is now delivered from these worldly plagues. He was a spiritually very well-read man, who himself, as he said, was a shepherd, a labourer in the garden of the Lord. He always tried to reconcile, to ally." (SOUNDBITE) (German) NO NAME GIVEN, RESIDENT OF ALTOETTING, SAYING: "He was a bit of an aloof person, we grew up in his area. And yes, he didn't really want to be Pope. He wasn't in favour of it. Hearing the news, I thought to myself, now he's got over it." (SOUNDBITE) (German) EDITH AND HERMANN AIGNER, RESIDENTS OF ALTOETTING, SAYING: "We were proud. We were very happy that someone from Germany would become Pope. From Bavaria very close by. Yes, yes." (SOUNDBITE) (German) KONRAD HUBER, RESIDENT OF ALTOETTING, SAYING: "He has initiated important things. I think he was also a very smart person. He probably had the wrong advisors to some extent. That's what I think. And today he has actually been a person, a doer in the background and never wanted to be at the front." (SOUNDBITE) (German) MARIA WIMMER, RESIDENT OF ALTOETTING, SAYING: "Everyone has to die one day. Why shouldn't that count for the pope too?" EXTERIOR OF CHURCH WITH CANDLES NEAR WALL VARIOUS OF STATUE OF FORMER POPE BENEDICT VARIOUS OF CANDLES OUTSIDE CHURCH VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF CHURCH
  • Embargoed: 15th January 2023 14:37
  • Keywords: Benedict Benedikt pilgrimage town
  • Location: ALTOETTING, GERMANY
  • City: ALTOETTING, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Europe,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA003982801012023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Locals of the Bavarian pilgrimage town of Altoetting expressed their memories of former Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday (January 1), a day after the death of the Emeritus. While some described him as a “spiritually very well-read man” who “always tried to reconcile, to ally”, others remember him as “aloof” and said he didn’t want to be at the front but rather remain in the background.
    According to the town’s website, Altoetting has been a pilgrimage center for Catholics for over thousand years. Benedict, who is said to have maintained a strong bond to his region of origin, was born in Marktl am Inn, a town in immediate proximity to Altoetting.
    While tributes to the former pope continued to be made by world leaders, and conservative members of the faithful, others were highly critical of his pontificate.
    Some recalled the severe discipline he meted out to progressive theologians, particularly in Latin America, when he was head of the Vatican's doctrinal department under Pope John Paul II. Those actions prompted liberal Catholics to dub then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger "God's Rottweiler."
    And while some have credited Benedict with taking important steps to formalize the Vatican's response to clergy sexual abuse, victims groups accused him of protecting the institution at all costs.
    The Emeritus’ funeral is set for January 5. In accordance with Benedict's wishes, it will be simple and solemn.
    (Production: Ayhan Uyanik, Louisa Off, Lena Toepler)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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