Pope Benedict XVI died on New Year’s Eve.
He had a short reign by modern standards, but he was among the most accomplished theologians ever elected to the papal throne – which is saying a lot.
And like the best teachers of the faith, he summed up his pontificate in his three last words.
The last words of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as he lay on his deathbed were “Lord, I love you!” according to the late pope’s longtime personal secretary Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Vatican News reported.
At about 3 a.m. on Dec. 31, a few hours before he died, Benedict was alone with a nurse who did not speak German, Vatican News reported. At that time Gänswein and others who were taking turns staying with the pope emeritus had left the room for a moment.
Gänswein recounted that Benedict XVI “in a soft but clearly distinguishable voice said in Italian, ‘Lord, I love you!’”
A simple sentence, but rich with meaning.
Considering the departed’s office, especially.
Not long before his death, B16 gave this statement:
Not long before Our Lord’s ascension, he and Peter, whose heir Benedict was, had this dialogue:
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Pope Benedict’s thoughts had turned to Christ’s office as judge of his life recently. And with good reason.
It’s easy to see how a fitting particular judgment for Peter’s successor would involve Our Lord asking the same question of him that He asked of Peter.
And it’s fitting that Benedict’s last word on this Earth is the defining act and Being of the Word who made the Earth.
“Signore, ti amo.”