Yes, Pope Benedict XVI came into the Vatican with the reputation as God’s Rottweiler. Yes, he was an archconservative who seemed to care a lot more about liturgical orthodoxy than the plight of the church’s progressives. Yes, he never escaped the shadow of the superstar and sanctified pope who preceded him. And yes, he largely failed in his placeholder pontificate to establish an emotional connection with the billions of people he led as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
But Benedict’s astonishing announcement Monday morning that he would be the first pope since Pope Gregory XII in 1417 to resign the papacy spoke directly to his less acknowledged, but perhaps more enduring and important legacy: transparency advocate.
Somehow I don’t think he regarded advancing progressive Catholic causes, being a rock star, or making a personal emotional connection with his flock as his primary objectives. Teaching and maintaining orthodoxy in the Church and preaching the Gospel were.
Re: “he largely failed in his placeholder pontificate to establish an emotional connection with the billions of people he led”. This guy has missed something very important about B XVI. He is indeed beloved by many millions of Christians, both RC and non-RC.
Ditto your #2, Ian+. To me, it’s a gross mischaracterization to say that Pope Benedict is not charismatic. Based on this article(and I read everything with a jaundiced eye, especially out of the WP or NYT), why wouldn’t he feel the way he does, when one cannot even trust those closest to him(leaking mail/letters, etc.)?!! Big prayers…
That first quoted paragraph is more than a little bit patronizing.