10 things you didn’t know about late Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, known as the pontiff who renounced the papacy, was situated in the middle of power for five decades of epochal change and unprecedented scandal in the catholic church.

Pope Benedict was a man whose own name captures pictures of a return to the theological repression of the 16th century for many people. The first time he appeared on the church’s international stage was as Joseph Ratzinger, a young German priest and theologian advocating for progressive reforms in the 1962-65 Second Vatican Council.

He was a Pope and cardinal that elevated the position of Catholic clergy, which he considered privileged and apart from the lay faithful.

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There are interesting things you didn’t know about the late Pope Benedict.

Table of Content hide 110 things you didn’t know about Pope Benedict XVI 1.1Pope Benedict knew how to fly helicopters but never learned how to drive 1.2The Pope was a POW in WWII 1.3He spoke and understood seven languages 1.4He was a skilled keyboardist 1.5He repeatedly asked for permission to retire before becoming Pope 1.6He was the sixth pope in the history of 266 popes to resign from the Papal office 1.7He owned two stuffed animals that his mother made for him as a child 1.8He loved taking care of stray cats 1.9The Pope’s favourite meal 1.10The pope had a beer dedicated to him

10 things you didn’t know about Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict knew how to fly helicopters but never learned how to drive

From CNA, a few years back, it reads: “Benedict XVI has a pilot’s license, and loved to fly from the Vatican to the papal summer residence, Castel Gandolfo, but he doesn’t have a driver’s license as he has never learned how to drive a car.”

The Pope was a POW in WWII

Although his family was strongly against Nazism, the young Joseph Ratzinger was compelled to join the German army during World War II. He never witnessed combat and disdained his role near Munich as American forces were approaching.

The American army set up their headquarters on his parents’ farm, where they learned he had been a German soldier. After one month in a prisoner of war (POW) camp, he was released; he booked a ride home on a milk truck.

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He spoke and understood seven languages

Benedict was fluent in German, English, Italian, French, Spanish, and Latin. He had a functional knowledge of Portuguese.

He was a skilled keyboardist

When he was pope, he made out time to constantly play the piano. He tilted towards the work of Mozart and Beethoven.

The pope once said of Mozart’s work, “His music is by no means just entertainment; it contains the whole tragedy of human existence.”

He repeatedly asked for permission to retire before becoming Pope

It is quite common today for the clergies to retire at 75. When the pope was getting close to that, he repeatedly requested from Pope John Paul II for permission to retire from his duties, adding that it would be perfect for the “congregation and the doctrine of faith.”

He wanted to become a librarian or take over some other job that would be slower-paced and grant him more time to write books. However, John Paul refused his request, and Benedict was elected pope at 78.

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He was the sixth pope in the history of 266 popes to resign from the Papal office

The last pope that resigned was Gregory VII in the early 14th century, and this was to help end the Western Schism. It’s anyone’s guess if Pope Benedict has set a new precedent for future popes.

He owned two stuffed animals that his mother made for him as a child

The Pope was seriously ill as a child, and his mother made him a teddy bear. He reportedly kept them till his death.

He loved taking care of stray cats

He was fond of cats, and the people around him knew he was a cardinal that looked after strays. As a pope, he owned two cats as pets, including one he found in Rome.

The Pope’s favourite meal

Pope Benedict’s favourite meal was the Bavarian potato ravioli with pancake strips.

The pope had a beer dedicated to him

Weideneder Brau Vertriebs GmbH is a family-owned brewery in Tann, Germany. They created a special brew called Pabstbier/Pope Beer.

The label on the beer reads, “Dedicated to the Great Son of our Homeland, Pope Benedict XVI.”