Theology professor, Fr. Pablo Blanco, has devoted much of his life to studying the work of Joseph Ratzinger. He is the author of a Spanish biography on the Pope emeritus. Fr. Blanco believes there is one book that was the central work of the Pope emeritus' life.
FR. PABLO BLANCO
Professor, University of Navarra
For me, 'Jesus of Nazareth' is his life's work—not only does it contain a large part of his thought, but it also speaks of the person who was the object of his last words as we learned.
Fr. Blanco sees the book as an intellectual legacy that continues to be relevant today.
FR. PABLO BLANCO
Professor, University of Navarra
It's gaining more and more followers, more and more readers. I am working with others to translate Ratzinger's complete works into Spanish. The publishing house we work with says that it is a great success. That is why we describe Ratzinger's style as understated but effective. Little by little. And it touches, above all, people's minds, their ideas.'
Fr. Blanco believes that the Pope emeritus will go down in history for more than just his resignation in 2013.
FR. PABLO BLANCO
Professor, University of Navarra
If I had to give him a title, I would say 'Benedict XVI: the Reformer.' It's true that his reform has only just begun; it has only taken its first steps. Pope Francis has continued the reform and I hope it will continue with the next Pope, when God wills it.
While some may have an image of the Pope emeritus as cold and impersonable, Fr. Blanco describes him as the opposite.
FR. PABLO BLANCO
Professor, University of Navarra
Maybe he did not have the charm that Pope John Paul II had, but he was deeply empathetic. He immediately put himself at the service of others. He put himself in their shoes, as we say. He could understand who he was with and what was troubling them, what problems they had? He was a very good listener.
Now, the author of Joseph Ratzinger. A Biography, encourages us to listen to the Pope emeritus' words and truly understand who he was.
AO
TR: KG
