![Pope Benedict XVI has thanked the media for their coverage of the papal transition following the death of John Paul II during a press conference held in Vatican on April 23, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI has thanked the media for their coverage of the papal transition following the death of John Paul II during a press conference held in Vatican on April 23, 2005.](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2EA3XCB/pope-benedict-xvi-has-thanked-the-media-for-their-coverage-of-the-papal-transition-following-the-death-of-john-paul-ii-during-a-press-conference-held-in-vatican-on-april-23-2005-photo-by-laurent-zabulonabaca-2EA3XCB.jpg)
Pope Benedict XVI has thanked the media for their coverage of the papal transition following the death of John Paul II during a press conference held in Vatican on April 23, 2005.
![Retired Pope Benedict XVI declines inheritance of his late brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger - The Dialog Retired Pope Benedict XVI declines inheritance of his late brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger - The Dialog](http://thedialog.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201102T1030-GEORG-RATZINGER-ESTATE-1008341.jpg)
Retired Pope Benedict XVI declines inheritance of his late brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger - The Dialog
![I hope that I can join them soon': Benedict XVI sends condolence message after friend's death | Catholic News Agency I hope that I can join them soon': Benedict XVI sends condolence message after friend's death | Catholic News Agency](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/images/Pope_Benedict_XVI_Credit_giulio_napolitano_Shutterstock_CNA.jpeg?w=670&h=447)
I hope that I can join them soon': Benedict XVI sends condolence message after friend's death | Catholic News Agency
![Pope Benedict XVI (R) arrives to lead a mass in St Peter's square at the Vatican April 2, 2008. Catholics around the world on Wednesday marked the third anniversary of Pope John Pope Benedict XVI (R) arrives to lead a mass in St Peter's square at the Vatican April 2, 2008. Catholics around the world on Wednesday marked the third anniversary of Pope John](https://c8.alamy.com/compfr/2d1rpn7/pope-benedict-xvi-r-arrives-to-lead-a-mass-in-st-peters-square-at-the-vatican-april-2-2008-catholics-around-the-world-on-wednesday-marked-the-third-anniversary-of-pope-john-pauls-death-and-vatican-officials-said-they-were-receiving-a-steady-stream-of-pleas-from-the-faithful-convinced-he-was-a-saint-pope-benedict-john-pauls-successor-presided-at-a-solemn-mass-before-tens-of-thousands-of-people-in-st-peters-square-from-the-same-spot-on-the-steps-of-the-basilica-where-john-pauls-simple-wooden-coffin-lay-three-years-ago-reuters-alessandro-bianchi-vatican-city-2d1rpn7.jpg)
Pope Benedict XVI (R) arrives to lead a mass in St Peter's square at the Vatican April 2, 2008. Catholics around the world on Wednesday marked the third anniversary of Pope John
![Pope emeritus Benedict XVI pens emotional letter for funeral of his brother, Georg Ratzinger - Vatican News Pope emeritus Benedict XVI pens emotional letter for funeral of his brother, Georg Ratzinger - Vatican News](https://www.vaticannews.va/content/dam/vaticannews/agenzie/images/reuters/2020/07/08/13/1594206357736.JPG/_jcr_content/renditions/cq5dam.thumbnail.cropped.750.422.jpeg)
Pope emeritus Benedict XVI pens emotional letter for funeral of his brother, Georg Ratzinger - Vatican News
![Pope Benedict expresses a longing for death in a letter - "I hope that I can join them soon" - The Limited Times Pope Benedict expresses a longing for death in a letter - "I hope that I can join them soon" - The Limited Times](https://www.merkur.de/bilder/2021/10/19/91061776/26596739-papst-benedikt-xvi-2Bef.jpg)