Sep 3, 2013 / 13:06 pm
Former students of Benedict XVI met for the first time without him this year for their annual "Schülerkreis" discussions, although they were able to see the former Pope briefly for Mass.
"He has a great sense of humor and we loved to be with him," said Father Vincent Twomey told CNA on Sept. 1. "He has a great sense of joy and he loves to be with his students."
The Schülerkreis is a circle of doctoral and post-doctoral students who had then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - who would later become Pope Benedict XVI - as their supervisor and professor at the University of Regensburg.
Since 1978, the group has been meeting annually with the former Pope to hold discussions, until this year. The results of the group's yearly dialogues are sometimes published.