Many consider him a subtle thinker and a great theologian with a deep understanding of Catholic tradition.

One of his unique achievements was that he singlehandedly prepared the catechism for the Catholic church. He worked hard on the new catechism for six years before he presented it to Pope John Paul II in 1992.

He speaks 10 languages that include his native German, Italian, French, Latin, Spanish and English.

He has no apparent history of health problems though he was hospitalised once in 1991 after a minor cerebral hemorrhage.

Photograph: German Catholic News Agency KNA via Getty Images

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