Benedict of Bavaria

As a man who was born, bred, and spent much of his life in Bavaria, it is natural that Joseph Ratzinger would be influenced by its culture, value, and traditions. But what does this mean for the papacy, the Catholic Church, and the world? Author Brennan Pursell, a professional historian who if fluent in German and has spent many months in Bavaria over the last twelve years, believes that understanding Pope Benedict's Bavarian heritage is the key to understanding his character.

The result is a biography hat offers an in-depth, intimate portrait of Pope Benedict and how his earliest experiences influenced his life and the direction with which he leads the Catholic Church.