Joseph Ratzinger showed from his childhood the depth of his faith and his connection to Christian traditions. An endearing testimony of this is the letter he wrote as a child, at the age of seven, addressed to the Child Jesus, to whom it is customary to turn to request the Christmas gifts that in other places are requested from the Three Wise Men. This gesture, full of tenderness and spirituality, reflects how the future Pope lived with intensity the Christmas customs of his native Bavaria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the missive, little Joseph asked for three specific gifts: a missal, a liturgical ornament for the altar and a figure of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. These requests showed not only his aspirations, but also his early inclination toward the priesthood and his love for the liturgy. As if foreshadowing his vocation, the letter shows that his gaze was already fixed on the transcendent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2012, during restoration work at the family home of Joseph Ratzinger <\/a>In Pentling, Bavaria, a letter was discovered that little Joseph wrote in 1934, at the age of 7, addressed to the Child Jesus. Preserved by his sister Maria, it reflects the deep religious values instilled in his home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The original letter, carefully preserved, stands out not only for the content of the petitions, but also for the simple and respectful language the child used. \"Dear Baby Jesus\" Joseph began, in a tone that radiated humility and trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe heart of the future Pope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n