Before becoming pope, Joseph Ratzinger was prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for 24 years. John Paul II gave him this position, and Ratzinger submitted his resignation at the end of each of his three terms.
Ratzinger loved theology, studying and enclosing himself in his office to write. This was something to which he couldn't completely dedicate himself as prefect of what was once the Inquisition.
ALEJANDRO CIFRES
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
“I remember how many times he said, 'I want to retire,' or 'I've presented my resignation to the pope.' He must have said it so many times, and Pope John Paul II never wanted to accept it. His wish was to write about theology, but at the same time – and this is a very important testament of faith – he's a man who has given his life and came to do a job that wasn't greatly accepted by others, perhaps even less so by his German theology colleagues. I think that gives it a dimension of a martyr.”
Once John Paul II died on April 2, Joseph Ratzinger didn't return to the Congregation, as Vatican law stipulated. He was no longer prefect. However, two days before the conclave, his collaborators organized a small party for his birthday.
ALEJANDRO CIFRES
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
“We sang him a song and all that. That day, I remember what he told me well, the excitement in his eyes as he said, 'Now I'm finally going to be able to dedicate myself to theology.' He obviously knew he wasn't going to be able to as prefect, and he didn't dream of being pope. He was very excited that he was finally going to be able to write about theology. Two days later, on Monday, he was elected.”
Just one day after being elected pope, Joseph Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI, made his first visit as St. Peter's successor to his former workplace. .
ALEJANDRO CIFRES
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
“I think, in addition to the affection he had for us, it was kind of a dress rehearsal. I think he said to himself, 'I'm going to try being pope in a controlled environment,' that's my impression. It was something very familiar, very cordial. He came here, and we welcomed him excitedly.”
Not only was the visit meaningful, but also what he said about the plans God had for him and how he was going to accept them.
ALEJANDRO CIFRES
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
“He said he was brought to Rome, where he didn't want to come, and now they wanted him to do what he didn't want to, which was be pope. Truthfully, though, we saw him as a happy man, a man who had taken the weight of his own free will off of his shoulders and had accepted God's will.”
After presenting his resignation, Benedict had the time he wanted to write and study in a small house in the Vatican Gardens.
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