Cardinal Krajewski, director of the Pontifical Societies, said of the Pope Emeritus: “He is a great theologian.” The cardinal served as a ceremonial during the pastoral ministry of Benedict XVI.
(Vatican News Network)On April 19, 2005, the world watched as the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica prepared to meet the new Pope. Footage shows the glass door opening and Cardinal Deacon Jorge Medina Estévez announcing the cardinal’s name José Ratzinger, who is the new Pope Benedict XVI. On the balcony there is a pontifical ceremonial with his hands folded on the cross: it is the future cardinal Krajewski.
“I was in the papal residence when John Paul II died. It was a very important moment in my life, one of the most difficult and most challenging,” Cardinal Krajewski told SciNews. The cardinal also mentioned the preparation for the election of the pope, following the orders of the cardinals and preparing the pope’s funeral.
Krajewski grieved the loss of his beloved Pope John Paul II, but followed the orders of his ceremonial head, Archbishop Piero Marini. He said: “When Cardinal Ratzinger was elected pope in the Sistine Chapel, Archbishop Marini told me I would raise the cross before the Holy Father Pope. The archbishop added: ‘When the curtains are drawn, you go out to first, followed by the Pope and the Papal Master of Ceremonies”. Cardinal Krajewski recalled that moment with a smile, seeing the crowd in St. Peter’s Square. “We all know what Pope Benedict said to everyone afterwards. I served as a liturgical during Pope Benedict’s pastoral ministry.”
Cardinal Krajewski was struck by some of the personal characteristics of the pope emeritus. He said, “I remember, he was so kind and simple. At that time we were all young, I was 17 years younger than now, but the Holy Father Pope never called us ‘you’, he was very kind. He was very kind to me. I was very interested in my name Konrad, saying he was more German than Polish. Later, when my mother died, he asked me about my situation and how old he was. The pope emeritus is very down to earth, caring people.”
Cardinal Krajewski continued: “The Pope Emeritus is a great theologian, a professor, his style is different from that of John Paul II, but he is so kind and open to all of us. , and also very concerned about us etiquette staff “. Cardinal Krajewski concluded that now “we are in mourning again, but I want to thank the Lord for this great Pope.” The cardinal said he prayed for Benedict XVI and for the Church.
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