Ever wondered what the home of a Pope looks like? Welcome to the Wohnhaus Papst Benedikt XVI in Pentling. This unassuming house holds a wealth of history. It was the private residence of Joseph Ratzinger from 1970 until 1977. He was then appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising. Later he became Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome. Despite his prestigious positions he retained this house. He visited it several times even after becoming Pope in 2005. His last visit was in June 2020.
The Wohnhaus Papst Benedikt XVI is more than just a house. It’s a biographical museum a meeting place and home to an archive. It’s managed by the Institut Papst Benedikt XVI. Joseph Ratzinger had the house designed by an architect in 1969. He wanted a home where he could live and work. It also served as a focal point for his brother Georg and sister Maria. Georg was the Domkapellmeister at the Regensburg Cathedral since 1964. Maria managed the household and worked as his secretary since 1959. The family even moved their parents’ remains from Traunstein to a nearby cemetery in Ziegetsdorf in 1974. Maria is also buried there after she passed away in 1991.
In 2010 Pope Benedict XVI transferred the house to the Institut Papst Benedikt XVI. Extensive research followed. The house and its furnishings were painstakingly restored. They are now as they were during Ratzinger’s time in Regensburg. The house opened in September 2012. It serves as a documentation and meeting place for Ratzinger’s theological and spiritual works. The opening ceremony was blessed by Gerhard Ludwig Muller. He was Ratzinger’s successor as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
This modest two-story house features a gable roof. There’s even a small garden with bronze sculptures. A bronze bust of Benedict XVI by Johann Brunner stands near the entrance. Inside the house much of the original furniture remains. Some pieces were recreated. The study contains Ratzinger’s library. It includes books he owned and others added to recreate the collection around 1977. His original desk is now in the Vatican. But a meticulously crafted replica sits here. Ratzinger used this desk since 1953. He even took it to all his subsequent work places.
The ground floor kitchen is furnished with typical 1970s furniture. Rooms dedicated to his siblings showcase their lives’ work. Georg’s room displays musical scores and recordings. Maria’s room features her typewriter her cookbook and her sewing kit. They are testaments to her service to Joseph. The former bedroom is now a memorial room for all three siblings. It even contains a wish list from the seven-year-old Joseph Ratzinger dating back to 1934. The former dining room is now a conference room. An archive in the basement houses the theological library of Vinzenz Pfnür. The house even includes a private chapel.
The Wohnhaus Papst Benedikt XVI is more than just a building. It is a testament to a man’s life a family’s bonds and the enduring legacy of Pope Benedict XVI. It offers a glimpse into the simple life of a man who rose to become one of the most influential figures in the Catholic Church. Leaving you with a sense of both the man and the Pope. It is a unique and insightful experience. A lasting testament to a life well lived.