Dear Holy Father,

I would like to thank you for your service. You have been such an inspiration for me and I am really thankful for all the books you have written. Your "Jesus of Nazareth" series has had the most impact on my spiritual life and I can't thank you enough. You have been a great shepherd of the Church and I want to thank you overall for your priesthood and your contributions to the Church. Enjoy your retirement and may God bless you abundantly in your retirement. 

Sincerely,

Arnold Garcia

Dear Eternal Father in Heaven:

Thank you for your Son and His sacrifice and the mercy and graces that flow from Him.  Thank you for the Blessed Virgin Mary for her perfect christian example.  Thank you for your Holy Spirit in guiding our Church to have such a holy leader in "his holiness" Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. We were so blessed to have him as our pope and we will surely be blessed to have his continued prayers and sacrifices.

Love, your child in Big Sky Country , Montana (USA),

Michael Helgeson

Dear Holy Father,

I want to thank you sincerely for your service to the Church. I returned to the Catholic church during your reign and I wonder now if it was your specific prayers that "did the trick". I have learned a great deal from you through the years and I will truly miss you. I was present at one of the Wednesday audiences in June of 2012 so I am glad I was able to see you once during my life. I was in Rome for the wedding of my dear friend. He was married in St. Peters Basilica! I am excited to see where the church will go and where God will lead me and my family. If you could please pray for my family and specifically my wife Suzanne. God Bless you! 

-Dan

Your Holiness, Thank you so much for being a father to us. As a teacher and writer you gave us encyclicals and books that will always be available from which to learn. As a father you loved us. But most of all as a priest you brought Jesus to us. Thank you. I love you dearly and will pray for you. Sincerely, Mary Ridder

Dear Holy Father, I was saddened by the words you uttered on February 11, 2013 "I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter". I watched your final General Audience today and was overcome with emotion listening to your words and watching the great love that the pilgrims expressed. I have been inspired by the "Jesus of Nazareth" series. They have given me a new love of the gospels. I hope that you will continue to write and share your deep faith and beautiful words with the people of God. You will always be in my prayers. God bless you Holy Father. Gail Quigley USA

Beloved Holy Father, one of the most joyous and exciting memories of my life was when I saw the white smoke and heard the church bells pealing on April 19, 2005.  I waited breathlessly to see who our new pope would be, all the while praying:  Lord, let  it be Cardinal Ratzinger.  When you stepped out onto that balcony, I was in tears.  I knew the Church would be safe in your holy and capable hands.   

My husband and I  traveled to Rome four times during your pontificate, and were even present at your 80th birthday celebration in the audience hall.  Although we have never met you personally, you won our hearts with your gentleness and profound humility.  We deeply love you.  

We were shocked at your announcement, and will miss you so very much.  But, we trust your wisdom and know that you are doing the Lord's Will.  Still, it is so hard to lose you as our "Papa."  I cannot imagine anyone replacing you in our hearts.

On vacation in Bavaria last October, we visited your birthplace of Marktl, and some other towns associated with your childhood.  

We are so proud of you!  Thank you for all that you did for the Church, during your eight years as pontiff.  Thank you most of all for restoring to the Holy Mass some of the sublimity and beauty which had been lost for so long.  You have done so much, in such a short time.  Know that you will be in our hearts and prayers until one day the word "Saint" is before your name.

We wish you peace and joy in your retirement years, and we know that Our Lord's Church will be ever in your prayers.  It is so hard to say good-bye......We love you!   Patricia and Noel Ricord, USA

Holy Father,

Thank you so much for your service to the Church! I know that it was not an easy time to be Pope. It has not been an easy time to be Catholic either. But you shepherded us through the storm. I would not be the Catholic I am today without you. Your writing has inspired me, and has forged in me a new found love for theology and evangelization. It has been my pleasure to serve the Catholic Church under you, and I will miss you tremendously, as I know many others will. Thank you for your commitment to unity with the Orthodox churches and to your unfailing commitment to Truth. I will be praying for you always, and I know that, despite how sad I am because of your leaving, you are only doing so because you really no longer can fulfill the roll as Supreme Pontiff. Thank you for your humility. I love you and may God bless you for the rest of your days, Julia McCoy

Most Holy Father,

For almost 25 years you were the theological rock and support of Blessed Pope John Paul II and in doing so you were our support in a tumultuous world.

After reading an article by the late Fr John Richard Neuhaus (First Things) I predicted to my family that you would be elected in a few ballots because I sensed that God had prepared you to lead us after the historic papacy of JPII. In the years after you became Pope I often thought that perhaps we were witnessing  a historic 1 -2 ; a partnership almost like one Pontificate with two Popes. 

Your holiness, the beautiful simplicity of your writings and your kind and gentle personality have touched my life giving me more understanding of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and strengthening my Faith. You have definitely confirmed me  in my Faith. It is not possible to thank you for each and every thing you have done for us while you walked in the Shoes of the Fisherman  and stood by the Cross of Christ but what is important is that our family is deeply grateful to you and to Our Lord for having given you to us in lifelong service to the Truth. We hold you very much in our hearts with much love and affection

Thank you for your courage, humility, prudence and wisdom in making the decision to abdicate from the Chair of Peter. Without any doubt I know you have done this in the best interests of the Church of Christ and I am sure that the Holy Spirit used your great stature in the Church and among the cardinals to reform the election of the Successor of Peter, change the variables and  bring renewed vigour and oxygen to the leader of Christ's Church on earth. The world has changed and is continuing to change, the demands on the Pope have increased ten fold and now you have helped to change the Papacy to address all these challenges!

We will always hold you dear in our hearts and pray for you and give thanks to God for the gift He made to us in you!

With much filial love and affection we wish you the peace and joy of your Master now and always!

John de Souza,

London, England

Thank you Jimmy for sharing : ) May the Holy Spirit continue to lead the Church where ever she needs to be for the proper bringing up of Christians in Holiness, May the Holy Spirit choose a new great Pope that can be the best yet especially in these troubled times. Holy Spirit please open our hearts and minds, lead us to truth, in Jesus name Amen!

Dear Holy Father,

There is no way to express how sad and shocked I was when I heard that you had abdicated the papacy. I am a convert to the Catholic faith; I was received into the Church during Easter Vigil 2000. I had spent the previous seven years reading about the Catholic faith, and your books, especially *Introduction to Christianity,* had a profound effect on me. I loved your writings, and I always will. I am Catholic today partly because of your influence. My husband, who was received in 2011, is also Catholic today partly through your influence. The ripple effect will continue.

I remember the powerful events surrounding the funeral of Blessed John Paul II, your funeral homily, and the various events of those days. I remember the day you were elected--a windy day in mid-Michigan--and I called my husband in from the yard to watch the unfolding of the papal announcement on TV. When Cardinal Medina read your name, my husband gave a mighty shout and scared the cat that was on his lap! We were so happy! I remember feeling that space was being created so that anything good could happen.

And so many good things DID happen. Anglicanorum Coetibus, Summorum Pontificum, etc. There have been so many wonderful moments in my life because of you, dear Holy Father, and because you have been very transparent to Christ. 

I think our Lord will take you to Himself soon. You must be looking forward to that day with great anticipation. Please pray for us, both now, while you are still on this side, and later, when you have crossed over and are beholding our Lord face to face. Please pray for me that I may have the transparency to Christ that you have shown by example. I will pray for you, and I will pray for your soul when you are taken from us--and when you get over there, I'll be begging for your prayers some more! I love you, and I will always love you, and I can't wait to see you in heaven as I so much wish I could have gone to Rome while you were Pope. 

With love, gratitude, and many prayers,

Ardella Crawford

Your Holiness in Christ,

I  want to thank you so much for your sacrifice for the Church.  I know you only served as Pope because you wanted to do God's Will.  Your hearts desire was to retire and write even when you were Cardinal Ratzinger, but you kept answering God's Call !!!

You are such a beautiful teacher and continued to write so beautifully as our Holy Father.  My beloved husband who passed on over 3 years ago was so inspired by your first book in the Jesus of Nazareth Trio, that he gave one to our pastor before he even finished his!  I have your second one on Jesus' passion and plan to use it for meditations this Lent.   I cherish your last book released for Advent on the Infancy Narratives that I used for Advent Meditations last year.   I see that the good Lord gave you time to write in your busy schedule as fulfilling His Will for you!  Thank you for calling for our beautiful Year of  Faith and your beautiful Apostolic Letter - "Porta Fidae" written so all of us simple folk could understand.

I appreciate so much what you have done for our Legionary Priests and Brothers and for us in Regnum Christi.  It was your confidence in us that caused you to name the beautiful Cardinal Velasio de Paolis as the Delegate for the Legion and Regnum Christi.  In his words of encouragement to us he said you named him "to revitalize, discover and renew the great energies that exist in the Legion and Regnum Christi.  We will be forever grateful !!!

Please be assured of my continued prayers for you!

With much love in Christ,

Judy (Texas)

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Dear Pope Benedict,

Thank you so much for your papacy. Your words speak to my heart. You brought back beauty to the Truth when it had continually be challenged. You brought back beauty to tradition when it had been mocked. You reminded us always that everything must lead to an encounter with the person of Jesus.

Thank you again. I was saddened only because I will miss you. Hidden you may choose to be after your abdication, but in the hearts of many you will remain. <3

much love and respect,

Virginia (Philippines)

Dear Holy Father, Thank you for appointing such wonderful men to be Bishops in the United States. People like Dolan in NY, Chaput in Philadelphia, and Gomez in Los Angeles have undertaken the difficult work of reawakening the Catholic faith in a place where it has withered. These are great men - men of character and men of faith. We need shepherds now in the West who are not afraid to defend the teachings of Jesus. You knew that, and to me, your legacy will be in your focus on vocations. We need more priests - and it is great bishops who set the example and bring great priests to the Church. I'm also grateful for the many letters and speeches that I have read on the Internet, which allowed me the opportunity to get to know your thoughts and your passion. So many images I now cherish in prayer - such thoughts like your description of tradition as "the roots of the tree" and without the roots, a tree withers and dies. As Pope you made the choice to put aside deep theological language and chose to speak in a language a normal person could understand. You opened me to the wonder of reason interacting with faith. Thank you for that. May God continue to bless you while you are with us. Sincerely, Tom Esposito Newark, DE - USA

Holy Father,

Thank you for being God's "pencil". I love you, and I will always pray for you. 

Holy Father:

 I am reading you books on Jesus of Nazareth for my Lenten discipline.

  I will miss you, and I will pray for you.

So... you renounce! I am not surprised. Many years ago you renounced a normal life. You renounced having a wife. You renounced having children. You renounced earning an income. You renounced mediocrity. You  renounced sleeping hours, in order to have hours of study. You renounced being one more priest but also you renounced being a special priest. You renounced filling your head with Mozart in order to fill it with theology. You renounced weeping in the arms of your parents. You renounced retirement being 85 year old, enjoying you grandchildren in the comfort of your home and the warmth of a fireplace. You renounced enjoying your country. You renounced taking time off. You renounced your vanity. You renounced defending yourself against those who attacked you.

No wonder! It becomes clear to me, that you are attached to renunciation.

I will spend my life giving thanks to God for having had a Pope like you,

George

So... you renounce! I am not surprised. Many years ago you renounced a normal life. Yourenounced having a wife. You renounced having children. You renounced earning an income. You renounced mediocrity. You  renounced sleeping hours, in order to have hours of study. You renounced being one more priest but also you renounced being a special priest. You renounced filling your head with Mozart in order to fill it with theology. You renounced weeping in the arms of your parents. You renounced retirement being 85 year old, enjoying you grandchildren in the comfort of your home and the warmth of a fireplace. You renounced enjoying your country. You renounced taking time off. You renounced your vanity. You renounced defending yourself against those who attacked you.

No wonder! It becomes clear to me, that you are attached to renunciation.

I will spend my life giving thanks to God for having had a Pope like you,

George

Dear Papa,

I love you so much and I will miss you! I met you at WYD in Spain, 2011. Words can't express how I felt as you pass by and blessed my son and I. I will pray for you and you will always be in my heart. Glenda

Holy Father, you have helped me and my father rediscover our Catholic faith, and come to a much deeper understanding of our Lord. We thank God for your ministry in these times, and consider ourselves blessed to have had you. We thank you for all that you have done for us. You will always be in our prayers.

Pope Benedict XVI,  you have changed my life for the better by teaching me so much about Jesus Christ the person.  You saved my life by enabling the Tridentine Mass to flourish again, which brought me back to the Church.  You truly practice salus animarum suprema lex.  Ad majorem Dei gloriam.  Tom Heckel

Dear Papa - We watched every minute of coverage of the conclave when you were elected Pope. I was so excited when you were elected that I phoned my husband, a teacher in public school (sort of a big no-no to interrupt teachers in the classroom), to tell him the news, and he said the other Catholic teacher in the room next to him burst in the hallway at the same time screaming the good news. We have prayed for you ever since and love you dearly. Thank you in particular for the love and compassion you've shown to our children and loved ones with developmental disabilities. Please continue to pray for them as we will be praying for you.

Aren't we blessed to have Pope Benedict continuing to pray for us after his retirement.  Nothing is more powerful than prayer, especially those of a good and holy man.

I wish to say my profound thanks to God our Father, for giving us in my lifetime - Pope Benedict XVI; always when I read his homilies, meditation, and writings and books especially the 3 volumes on Jesuschrist, I felt more closer to Jesus, I think the Holy Spirit is guiding me or God is speaking to me personally. As Simeon said, "my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people"(Luke 2: 30-31) - I feel I can say this to for myself. Cardinal Abril Castello said,"we won't have the lucidity and clarity of his teaching as Pontiff, although we will be able to continue to profit from the books, addresses and documents he has left us". Jesus Christ always assures us, He will not leave us orphans...

Dearest Holy Father

Your profound words full of wisdom, humility reached our hearts. We will miss them and we will miss you. But we wish you a quiet senectude.

Farewell Holy Father

Josef Beneš

Holy Father, who has taught myself and countless others among the faithful the gospel of Jesus Christ, may the Lord bless and preserve you, and always lift up his countenance toward you, now and forever!

Thank you for your service to the Church.  I pray that Christ continues to hold you close to His most Sacred Heart and that you continue to grow in love for HIm.  God Bless you.

I have great appreciation and love for Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul II  as they courageously and loudly upheld the faith in sexual morals and never minced words just to accommodate powerful nations or people. Also they have initiated the "New Evangelization" especially for Europe where the anti-christian forces are trying to erase Christian thoughts, philosophy and religion.   Pope Benedict's idea that the quality is more important than the quantity( number of catholics) is another excellent utterance.