The Deacon's Bench
Former pope Benedict XVI can still play Mozart from memory on the piano and retains a formidable mind, an aide to the 87-year-old ex-pontiff has revealed.
Two years after he shocked the world by announcing he lacked the strength of mind and body to carry on as pope, Benedict is enjoying a largely solitary retirement within the confines of a Vatican monastery, his private secretary told Italy’s Corriere della Sera daily.
Archbishop Georg Ganswein dismissed suggestions that the health of former Joseph Ratzinger, now officially Pope Emeritus, was cause for alarm.
“Benedict is almost 88 and, as is normal for a man of his age, sometimes his legs give him a few problems,” Ganswein said.
“He has his daily routine, which is very methodical.
“And the head is still functioning very well, his mind is formidable.”
Photo: Pope Emeritus Benedict in 2014 via Wikipedia
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