Posted on 04/20/2008 10:37:32 PM PDT by Stoat
Sunday, April 20th 2008, 4:00 AM
There's one very unusual biography of Pope Benedict - a children's book, supposedly written by his cat.
"Joseph and Chico: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as Told by a Cat" is a 36-page illustrated book that chronicles the life of Benedict through the words of his cat, Chico.
"I'm meeting you in the pages of this book to tell you a story about my very best friend, a wonderful man with whom I've shared so many happy times," Chico says.
"I want to tell you about where he comes from, how devoted he is to his studies and his work, what is he doing now."
The book, of course, wasn't actually written by a cat. It was penned by Italian journalist Jeanne Perego. It was illustrated by Donata Dal Molin Casagrande and features an introduction by the Rev. Georg Ganswein, the Pope's personal secretary.
The book begins with the Holy Father's birth in Bavaria, Germany, in 1927. Chico explains that Benedict and his family moved many times during his childhood. In a surprising passage, Chico describes how Joseph Ratzinger, the man who would become Pope Benedict, joined the seminary in 1939.
"At the beginning, Joseph was not enthusiastic at all about living in a community," Chico says. "He could not concentrate on his studies and it felt as if he had lost his freedom."
The book also touches on Benedict's service in the German Army during World War II.
"During that period, Joseph was forced to do something that went absolutely against his will: join the army and go off to war," Chico says.
The book's message is "stay faithful and committed in life, without getting discouraged when difficulties arise."
Chico no longer lives with the Pope because animals aren't allowed at his house in the Vatican.
The cat now stays with a neighbor near Benedict's former home in Bavaria.
Ping
BBC NEWS World Europe Pope's story through eyes of cat
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Pope's story through eyes of cat
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The book, called Joseph and Chico, has been written by an author from Milan. Who could have a more personal insight into the life of the Holy Father than his favourite cat Chico, a nine-year-old ginger tom? In 44 pages Chico recounts his memories of the young Joseph Ratzinger, growing up in a Bavarian family in Nazi Germany. It follows his early years as a priest and ends with his election as leader of the Church in April 2005. It has been written by an Italian author, Jeanne Perego, who has never met the Pope. But her book is full of detail, illustrations and, of course, the odd Christian message. Indeed, Chico reveals how one Christmas he attacked the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, leaving him with scratches to his face. "He forgave me instantly," he says. Cat lover The Pope is famous for his love of cats. His friend, Konrad Baumgartner, from Regensburg University said the cats in the cemetery behind the local church knew the Pope well and loved him. When he visited, he added, they often ran to see him and he would stand and talk to them for some time. The introduction to the book has been written by Father Georg Ganswein, the Pope's personal secretary, which would tend to suggest the Pope has read it or at least given it his consent. In his preface, Father George says it is a unique story of the Holy Father. "You will find," he writes, "that as well as cats, the Pope loves you children and he prays for you every day." |
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If the Pope wants a cat at his flat in the
Vatican, he can’t have one??
WTF?!!! He's the POPE!
"I cannot bring my cat? Fine. You're damned to hell. Later, Chester!"
a book for Sarah, perhaps? yunz being of the cat persuasion and all....
Thank-you for posting excellent story about the Pope and his cat friend Chico.
:) =^..^=
A true picture of a cat in prayer. =^..^=
Not a happy kitty! =^..^=
Looks like the Pope is both blessing and petting the smoke gray kitten at the same time. =^..^=
VK in training. They’ll do anything to win.
Wow, that cat has a BIG HALO! =^..^=
At least when the Pope goes to Germany he can visit his cat friend. =^..^=
Glad to see a positive word about Chico the Papal cat. :) =^..^=
Yeah, I always thought that was bizarre. Perhaps there's a big staff, and some are allergic.
Wait a minute, if someone's allergic, that's why they have BENadryl!!!
My cat had to wear that years ago because he almost bit his tail off due to allergies....It was so funny to watch him walk into walls from mis-judging....He had the same face as the black putty:-(
ping
Not that anyone would offer me the position, however...
Reverend
Thanks for reposting the picture. It showed up fine on my home computer when I posted it, but it appeared as a red x when I got to my office. I was looking for a picture of the Pope with Chico, but I couldn’t find one.
If it was me, I would say, “I am the Pope, the Vicar of Christ and I want my cat. As we all know, God loves cats, he made catnip and gave them human staff”.
Glad the “Halo Cat” picture came back! =^..^=
Second it!
It's confusing, isn't it? Hopefully the Pope or someone on the Vatican staff (OF COURSE they must all be FReepers :-)) will soon log in here and tell us what's going on with this.
Oh Lawdy, being Blessed by Halocat is one of the best things that’s happened to me today :-)
You're quite welcome! I'm delighted that you've found the thread to be worthwhile :-)
He probably is! Such a lucky cat as well as the lucky young man holding him. This is a photo that will be handed down the generations of his family until the ends of time.
You’re welcome.
"furry smile"
You're welcome :-) I had been waiting around for the red X to turn into one of these:
but I eventually decided that no kitty would appear :-)
I looked for a picture of the Pope with Chico as well, but had the same results. Perhaps there's one on the inside dust jacket of the book? I will have to check the next time I'm near a bookstore.
There are some photos of Chico at this link:
http://freeforumzone.leonardo.it/discussione.aspx?idd=354506&p=53
Scroll down to the post from Teresa Benedetta on 10/6/2007 at 12:53 AM.
And here he is, the world's most famous cat, photographed in Pentling,
from Repubblica's photogallery! Thanks to Lella for the lead:
The photographs were taken this week in Pentling. Therese Hofbauer is shown petting Chico,
and of course, the cat is photographed with Papai's house in the background. Now, why
didn't they think of taking a picture of him by the cat sculpture in the garden?
AP also took this photo of author Jeanne Perego outside her home
in Landshut, Bavaria. Obviously, she still did not have an actual
copy of the book, as she is photographed with the Messaggero
magazine cover only.
I will be getting a copy of the book myself. =^..^=
4chan image macros coming in... 4...3...2...1...
POPE CAT IZ NOT AMUZED
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