The Papal Almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, shares his memories of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, whom he served as a master of papal ceremonies, describing him as “a great theologian of great humanity.”
By Benedetta Capelli
On 19 April 2005, the world focused on the central loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica where the new Pope would soon appear. The white smoke from the Sistine Chapel indicated that the cardinals had made their choice with enough votes on the fourth ballot to elect John Paul II’s successor.
The pictures show the stained glass windows opening and the Cardinal Protodeacon Jorge Medina Estévez pronouncing the name of Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. At the loggia with him, one of the papal masters of ceremonies holds the cross in his hands. It was the future Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.


