Caroline Baudry (special envoy to Rome), edited by Yanis Darras 2:25 p.m., January 04, 2023
It was Benoit XVI's favorite restaurant.
At the Cantina Tirolese in Rome, the manager's emotion has been immense since the announcement of the death of the pope emeritus, Saturday, December 31 at the age of 95.
A few hours before the funeral of the sovereign pontiff, the owner of the business opened its doors to Europe 1.
Last day for the faithful to meditate before the remains of Pope Benedict XVI.
The Pope Emeritus, who died on Saturday December 31 at the age of 95, will be placed in his coffin this Wednesday evening when the doors of Saint Peter's Basilica close to the public.
So, before the funeral of Benedict XVI, at the Cantina Tirolese restaurant in Rome, the emotion is immense.
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The sovereign pontiff used to come and eat in this establishment, decorated in the colors of the Tyrol region in northern Italy, from floor to ceiling.
On the stairs, newspaper clippings are framed on Joseph Ratzinger, this regular who became pope.
cute little sins
"He was sitting at this table," points out Ricardo, the restaurant manager, in the room.
"He was a very reserved, very sensitive person. We expected him to be able to resign as pope", he explains at the microphone of Europe 1. "He could find here the flavors of Germany and where he came from", notes the restaurateur.
Three times a month, the cardinal came to savor his two sweet sins: "The typical soup made from pancakes and the strudels".
A homemade apple pastry that the pope, who no longer frequented the restaurant in recent years because of his health problems, received as a gift on each of his birthdays.
Touched by the gesture, Benedict XVI took the time to respond, with a small letter, still displayed next to his portrait.
"I'm very proud of that," Ricardo concludes, looking up at her.