Benedict XVI.

The Pope with a big heart for red-white-red

Joseph Ratzinger, a good friend of Austria, was elected head of the Church. Abuse scandals overshadowed the German's time in office. Read now: Part two of our series on historical popes.

The muffled ringing of bells in the Vatican, the church newspaper "L'Osservatore Romano" hurriedly prints a special edition, the faithful gather in St. Peter's Square to pray: The old pope is dead. The last day of 2022 is overshadowed by the death of Benedict XVI. A few days later, Francis bows before the simple coffin of his predecessor before he is laid to rest in the catacombs of St. Peter's Basilica. An era has come to an end - the era of an extraordinary churchman who was revered and demonized in equal measure.