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04/07/2010

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Mr. Tänzler, when Pope Benedict XVI was first elected, there was considerable hype surrounding him amongst young Catholics. That was especially apparent at the 20th World Youth Day held by the Catholic Church in Cologne in 2005, where an estimated 1 million young Catholics celebrated mass with the newly elected Pope Benedict. What remains of their enthusiasm?

Dirk Tänzler: The World Youth Day was quite an event -- but there has never been the sort of personal popularity that Pope John Paul II had. That is clear. Because Pope Benedict is another type of person altogether, a more reserved one.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Were you at the 20th World Youth Day? And if so, did you cheer for "Benedetto"?

Tänzler: Yes, I was there -- but I generally also tend to be reserved.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: What is your verdict on five years of Pope Benedict?

Tänzler: Ambivalent. He has made some good points, but they have often been interpreted in a completely different way. He is, after all, an intellectual -- and he comes across that way with young people. That's why a lot of young people often simply don't understand him. In that sense, John Paul II was much more of a "showmaster," who found simple words and celebrated with the youth. Benedict is more like a professor, and that's a world that is foreign to a many young people.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: What are the good points that Pope Benedict has made?

Tänzler: They include his positions on issues like justice, the climate and creation. Those issues are important to many young people. At the Copenhagen climate summit, for example, he made a significant contribution and reminded participants of the importance of united action. And he always draws people's attention to the fact that Jesus Christ is more important than him or the church. Another good point is his social encyclical in which he writes about justice today and emphasizes the meaning of love.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Recently, though, the greatest issues have been cases of church abuse rather than love. And although the pope did send a papal letter about incidents of abuse to Irish Catholics, he has not commented on the allegations in Germany. Does that upset you?

Tänzler: It would have done some good if the Holy Father had personally mentioned the situation in Germany. But he did not. And now we should look forward.

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• Part 1: 'There Is No Generation Benedict'
• Part 2: 'I Don't Think That Major Reforms Will Take Place'