As the two-year anniversary of Pope Benedict's death approaches, three of his close companions – Cardinal Kurt Koch, Professor Ralph Weimann, and Archbishop Georg Gänswein – reflect on his legacy.

In an interview with Vatican News following the Mass he celebrated for the anniversary, Cardinal Kurt Koch described Pope Benedict as “a very humble person who engaged with others and listened deeply.” He highlighted the late Pope’s kindness and the inner light evident in his eyes, emphasizing that for Benedict, Christianity was rooted in being truly human. “To be Christian, for him, was to learn how to be human again,” said Cardinal Koch, noting how Benedict exemplified this in his life.

The Swiss cardinal, appointed by Pope Benedict as President of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity in 2010, shared that Benedict always knew his pontificate would be brief, focused not on grand projects but on bringing faith back to the heart of the Church. “The question of God was central to him,” Cardinal Koch remarked, underlining that Benedict’s work was deeply Christocentric, centered not just on the existence of God, but on the living God who speaks and reveals Himself in Jesus Christ. This focus will remain a central part of Benedict’s legacy.

Looking ahead to the 2025 Jubilee of Hope, Cardinal Koch referenced Benedict's encyclical Spe salvi, which delves into Christian hope. He reflected on Benedict's insight that true hope comes from a humble perspective. “Only those who don’t take themselves too seriously can have hope,” Koch said, quoting Benedict’s light-hearted remark, “If we took ourselves more lightly, we could fly like angels and birds.” Hope, he emphasized, comes from orienting our lives toward God, and through this, the Holy Year will inspire people to rediscover the holiness promised in baptism.

Professor Ralph Weimann, a member of the Ratzinger Schülerkreis, shared the profound impact Pope Benedict had on him both personally and spiritually. "Pope Benedict was first and foremost a Christian,” he said. “He embodied Jesus Christ with his truth and witness.” Weimann spoke of Benedict’s fatherly role and deep Christian example, expressing gratitude for the lasting influence Benedict had on his life and faith.

Although Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Benedict’s long-time private secretary, could not attend the memorial service this year due to his role as Apostolic Nuncio for the Baltic States, he shared his reflections from afar. “The further I am from Rome, the more my inner closeness to Pope Benedict grows,” Gänswein said. “There is sadness, but also gratitude for the time spent by his side. Christmas this year has been different, yet I feel that Benedict’s help continues to guide me.”

He also expressed the importance of Benedict’s Spe salvi encyclical on Christian hope, which has been especially meaningful in the Holy Year. For Gänswein, the encyclical has served as both an anchor and a guiding goal in his own life, providing hope through challenges and hardships, always grounded in the promise of God.