On the eve of the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, I am reflecting on my only personal encounter with him. I also realized that if he hadn’t shocked the world in 2013 by quitting, I probably never would have gotten a chance to perform for him, let alone meet him. Now that he is dead, I realize what an incredible opportunity he was and how grateful I will always be. The photos tell only part of the story.
A little over a year earlier, I was invited to Regensburg, Germany, for the 89th birthday of the Pope’s older brother, Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, who died in 2020. His biographer, the German journalist Michael Hessemann, whom I met in Rome a few months earlier, he extended the invitation. So in January 2012 my mother and I traveled to Germany to the bucolic and historic city of Regensberg.
We were part of a small group of guests in the monsignor’s modest home. My mother sat next to the monsignor, and although she did not speak German and he did not speak English, they somehow communicated, often smiling and even laughing.
I played a little on Monsignor’s beautiful Steinway piano, so nervous that I forgot part of the piece I had diligently practiced. But the monsignor, very kind, did not care. Michael then announced that next year they were planning a 90th birthday concert for him in the beautiful chapel in Regensburg. They invited me to perform.
Lauren Green greets Pope Emeritus Benedict at the Vatican on January 15, 2014.
(Courtesy of the author)
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But then, in February, Pope Benedict XVI became the first pontiff in six centuries to resign. With so much tumult in the Catholic Church, he was certain that no 90th birthday concert would take place. How could he? The Pope’s brother probably wouldn’t want a celebration.
But then Michael called me in November 2013 and told me that the concert was on but would take place in the Vatican and that the pope emeritus, who promised to live a quiet and secluded life in the Mater Ecclesia Monastery, would also attend. It was an impressive change.
In less than two months my mother and I were in Rome for the concert. There were three artists on the show, an operatic tenor and a violinist, both from Germany, and me, the only American and only woman. Each of us performed three pieces.
The concert took place in the Vatican Radio studios, also in the Vatican Gardens. Some 45 people attended, mostly domestic staff, nuns and priests. The two main members of the audience were Monsignor Ratzinger and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Pope Emeritus Benedict and his fellow clergymen
(Courtesy of the author)
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When the pope emeritus entered the room, everyone stood up. He walked up to each artist to greet them. He greeted me last. He was courteous, the most perfunctory greetings.
The most difficult piece I played was by Franz Liszt, from his “Années de Pèlerinage” (Years of Pilgrimage), called “Lo Sposoalizio”. It is based on a painting by Raphael that represents the engagement of Mary and Joseph. After the final note of the entire concert, he immediately jumped out of his seat and came directly to me to shake my hand. It was an extraordinary moment that I will never forget.
As I sit in Rome preparing to report on the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict, I have two additional memories. One: when I introduced my now late mother to her and told her how old she was, she was amazed and told her that she looked so much younger. Her immediate response was an enthusiastic “Thank you” and a hug.
Lauren Green’s mother hugs Pope Emeritus Benedict on January 15, 2014.
(Courtesy of the author)
THE FUNERAL OF POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY IN ST. PETER’S SQUARE, WITH THE PRESIDENCY OF POPE FRANCIS
No one told this woman raised in a black Baptist church that you’re not supposed to hug the Pope, retired or not. She didn’t care. He hugged her back and for a brief moment they were just two old people from different worlds beaming with joy to have met her.
The other thought is that we learned this week that the Pope’s last words when the life left his body were: “Jesus, Ich liebe ditch,” which in German means “Jesus, I love you.” And so now my heart warms that one of the pieces I played for him was by the German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”
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Very thankful.
To Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, may the music of heaven fill you with eternal joy!
