I found this article[1] on the idea well worth reading. The thesis is that long memories keep longstanding grudges alive, so the "forget" part of "forgive and forget" is itself important -- whatever that may say about respect for previous generations, leaving their battles behind can make your life better.
1: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/mar/02/cult-of-me...
Oh and none of the allies war criminals were punished. You forgot to mention that.
The German army was just German army, not specifically a "Nazi army" even though the country was lead by Nazis and even though modern click-baiting headlines equate the two.
As far as I know, Ratzinger had nothing to do with National Socialism beyond what was compulsory and unavoidable under pain of death in Nazi Germany (i.e. being drafted).
Let me remind you that ALL the Allies war criminals were also basically given amnesty everywhere, just because they were victors.
if you think that's fair, well that's your call.
And the ongoing killing of prisoners who surrendered (a US army speciality in the Pacific, no prisoners, just kill them all)
I don't think it was right.
My point was that plenty (and the majority) of Nazis were killed during the war. You know, the ones who actually fought on the battleground. If we call the regim Nazi Germany and Hitler had more than 90% popularity, then you should assume that most of the fighters were Nazi as well. Which proves my point.