Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, the older brother of Benedict XVI, died on July 1 at the age of 96.

This week on Inside the Vatican, the hosts discuss Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's surprise visit to his brother in Germany.

During his last morning in Regensburg, the 93-year-old retired pope visited his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, one last time.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, 93, flew to Germany this morning to visit his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, 96, who is gravely ill at his residence in Regensburg.

In a letter commemorating the centenary of Pope Saint John Paul II's birth, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reflects that John Paul sought to spread the message that "God's mercy is intended for every individual" and that the late pope was no "moral rigorist" that some have portrayed him as being.

It would be a powerful outward sign of unity in the church if the pope emeritus and those who advise him sought to avoid situations in which his public comments will be inevitably misused to suggest a division that Benedict has never wanted.