The personal papers of Pope Benedict XVI will or may have been destroyed.
Archbishop, personal secretary Georg Gänswein of Benedict XVI declared this is the will he entrusted to the bishop.
Pope Benedict XVI himself left this clear: “All private documents must be destroyed. This must be applied without exception and without loopholes.” A similar order was given by John Paul II to his personal secretary, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, but the cardinal did not comply because he wanted to keep important private records of the late pope for historical study. history. As Archbishop Gänswein himself asserts in his book “Nothing but Truth” (Nient'altro che la Verit, nxb. Piemme): “I have received your exact instructions, with your instructions. entrusted, I feel obliged to respect with a clear conscience all that pertains to the library, the manuscripts of his books, documents relating to the Council (1962-1965) and correspondence."
Archbishop Gänswein also said that, in addition to the sacred will that has been published by the Vatican, Ratzinger left "notes related to certain personal estates and gifts, to fulfill the task of executing the will." , Benedict XVI updated the update gradually over the years, many times, the last time in 2021”. This could be a physical will along with a legacy related to his books and music collection; Bishop Gänswein did not specify but it is possible that part of this legacy will be devoted to his beloved Bavarian homeland.
Bishop Gänswein's book co-written with journalist Saverio Gaeta will be released next week (some quotes have been published in recent days), like the Vatican's 'Pandora's box' with many episodes in the Vatican. decades ago are still wrapped in mystery.