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Last Testament

In His Own Words

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Last Testament

By: Pope Benedict XVI, Peter Seewald
Narrated by: Gordon Griffin, Roger May
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Bloomsbury presents Last Testament by Pope Benedict XVI with Peter Seewald, read by Roger May and Gordon Griffin.

Gripping ... An exquisite conversation between two people who know each other, like each other, and have mutual respect for one another' – Catholic Times

Since resigning from the papacy in 2013, the first Pope in over 700 years to do so, Pope Benedict has lived quietly in a convent in the Vatican gardens in Rome. He has devoted himself to a life of prayer and study and has vowed to remain silent, until now.

So much controversy still surrounds Pope Benedict’s time in office – in this book, written with bestselling German author Peter Seewald, he addresses the issues of his papacy and reveals how, at his late age, governing and reforming the Church was beyond him.

Last Testament is also an autobiography, recalling Pope Benedict’s childhood in Germany under Nazism, his early development as a priest, and eventually his appointment as Archbishop of Munich. After becoming Pope, his account deals with the controversies that rocked the Catholic world – how he enraged Muslims with his Regensburg speech, what he did and did not do to stamp out the clerical sexual abuse of children, the ‘Vatileaks’ scandal and how he broke up a gay cabal within the Vatican itself.

At all times, we see a man who is shy and retiring and modest being exceptionally open and frank with the outside world. In this Last Testament, a unique book insofar as no other living Pope has had the opportunity to write an account having left office, Benedict gives in his own words an unprecedented view of the difficulties, the achievements and the consequences of his time as head of the Catholic Church worldwide.(P)2021 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Christian Living Christianity
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Without rancour or bitterness, Pope Emeritus Benedict gives us an insight into the reality of issues often distorted from the outset by his enemies. It's a good companion to the two volume biography Sewald has written.

Puts the record straight

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The narration was very clear which helped towards the flow of the audiobook. This captured the life of Pope Benedict in a succinct way through an interview style (with translator voice) and was very interesting. A thought provoking book.

Reflective and easy to listen to.

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Thought provoking, truly amazing and a must read. A true Legacy for years to come

Wonderful

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I listened to Pope Benedict’s Last Testament and was touched by the clarity of his thought; his ability to speak of his own shortcomings and his life’s work as a philosopher and man of prayer. It complements well his study of Jesus of Nazareth. His is a voice with deep resonance and one that I shall come back to.

A profoundly moving reflection

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Listening to this just after the first anniversary of Pope Benedict’s death gives a great insight into the work and mission of this beautiful soul. His humility stands out mostly for me.

The humility of a beautiful soul.

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