The life and death of Pope John Paul II generated a huge, sustained interest in the papacy among people of all denominations and none.
Appreciating this, Columba Press invited Fr Michael Collins to "fill a gap in the knowledge of John Paul II's successor, Pope Benedict XVI, self-declared "humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord".
Fr Collins is an accredited journalist to the Holy See and among other publications he is author of the important Influence of the Papacy on History (Columba Press). In Benedict XVI - Successor to Peter, he culls from the writings of Joseph Ratzinger and in particular perhaps from his Milestones: Memoirs (1927-77). He relates the story of the new Pope's birth (1927), the third and last child of a police officer, Joseph Ratzinger, and Maria his wife, with siblings Georg, also to become a priest, and sister Maria.
From the retirement dwelling of his parents, the young Ratzinger was occasionally brought to nearby Salzburg and formed a love of Mozart and, no doubt, kindled the love of pianoforte in which he is a competent performer. Years in the gymnasium and the university and his zeal and successes are described. Reluctantly, but under obligation, he was associated with the Hitler Youth, and later saw war service. He was a deserter and a prisoner of the Americans in the closing days of the war. This will prove of interest to some.
Collins also writes about Ratzinger's resolve to enter the priesthood; his seminary and university career; his disappointment at having his doctoral dissertation initially rejected; his intent to be a teacher; his prominence during Vatican II, so influential in his rise, sponsored by the archbishop of Cologne; his departure from Tubingen to Regensburg to become in time the cardinal archbishop of Munich.
Of great interest is his role in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Incidents of his dealing with exponents of liberation theology, and other controversies, are reported in brief. His relationship with Hans Kung is mentioned. It had been warm and harmonious in Tubingen. Kung had been instrumental in bringing about Ratzinger's appointment to teach there. The relationship soured. Later Kung was to write of Ratzinger, "he always had a sceptical attitude towards modern exegesis and was open to historical arguments only to a limited degree. In his (Ratzinger's) Introduction to Christianity (1967), he contented himself with a caricature of contemporary research into Jesus and here already showed the beginnings of the misinterpretations, insinuations, caricatures and condemnations of which he is capable."
Collins concludes this engrossing, excellent book for the general reader on Pope Benedict XVI with comment on his private life (the discipline of it suggests Immanuel Kant), and his election and hopes for the pontificate. The could become a vade mecum for ecumenists, especially, on one who is likely to be most influential.