To suffer for the sake of conscience sums up in fact his whole life.
But, it may be said, what is the use of merely suffering?
Yet ultimately injustice can be overcome only by the voluntary suffering of those who remain true to their conscience and thereby really testify to the end of all power by their suffering and their whole life.
We are slowly beginning to realize once more something of what it means that the redemption of the world, the overcoming of power, is found in the suffering of an executed man, that precisely where power ends in suffering, the salvation of man appears...
Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger in Communion Vol. 2 Anthropology and Culture, pp.19-20
...[P]rophetically addressing his own age...[he] portrays a ruler who does not desire to conquer but to reconcile, who is ready to abandon greatness, who is marked by the burden of guilt and who recognizes true greatness in responsibility for man.
He represents a man in power for whom power is a painful burden and who for that reason can bring out the meaning of power...The prophet has to assume power and thus undergo his most severe test--whether in power he will remain true to the prophetic word. Power as suffering and thereby as healed power...The absolute monarch stands under the control of conscience, without which all other checks on power would be ineffectual... Ibid., p. 26
...[P]ower attains greatness when it allows itself to be moved by conscience. Ibid., p. 27
In these passages Ratzinger is speaking about the author Reinhold Schneider and the protagonist of his novel, but it applies a fortiori to The Great Abdication!, to the Emeritus Pontificate!
Cf. Pope Benedict's words about his not abandoning the cross.
On page 23 Ratzinger also mentions Charles V as a representative of conscience in the same novel. Consider the retirement of that Emperor himself also to his monastery. Many coinciding points here all coming together in the Cross as the greatest wisdom and the greatest ruler! This text is from a Ratzinger lecture in Freiburg May 13, 1972.
N.B. Below the last two questions of the August 5, 2006 interview with Pope Benedict in which he spoke about the agony of office. He speaks of being dissected four times! viz. power as suffering!
When you have an important job like yours, Holy Father, you are much observed. Other people talk about you. I was reading and I was struck by what many observers say: that Pope Benedict is different from Cardinal Ratzinger. How do you see yourself, if I may be so bold as to ask?
Benedict XVI: I have been taken apart various times: in my first phase as professor and in the intermediate phase, during my first phase as Cardinal and in the successive phase. Now comes a new dissection. Of course, circumstances and situations and even people influence one because one takes on different responsibilities.
Let us say that my basic personality and even my basic vision have grown, but in everything that is essential I have remained identical. I am happy that certain aspects that were not noticed at first are now coming into the open.
Would you say that you like what you do, that it is not a burden for you?
Benedict XVI: That would be saying a bit too much, because it really is tiring. But in any case, I try to find joy here, too.
1. ...Do another's will rather than thine own...[heroic obedience: reject self-will].
2. ...Choose always to have less rather than more...[heroic poverty: reject things].
3. ...Seek always after the lowest place, and to be subject to all...[heroic humility: reject "positions"].
4. ...Wish always and pray that the will of God be fulfilled in thee...[heroic holiness: make God Rule you!].
...Behold, such a man as this entereth into the inheritance of peace and quietness.
Imitation of Christ, III, 23: 1-7
Cf. The Gospel of Suffering: a Superior Gospel, Pope Saint John Paul II