Michael Kelly
The retired Pontiff is keen to burst conspiracy theories, writes Michael Kelly
A little over eight years ago, Benedict XVI stunned the world by announcing that he would resign as Pope. In so doing he became first man to renounce the papacy on his own initiative since Celestine V in 1294.
Now, in a new interview the Pope emeritus has shed fresh light on the decision and insisted to Catholics who grumble about his successor Francis that “there is only one Pope”.
Anniversary
Sunday marked the eighth anniversary of Benedict’s resignation taking effect rendering the See of St Peter vacant and setting in motion the process that would elect the Argentine Pontiff.
“It was a difficult decision,” Benedict told Corriere della Sera, an Italian newspaper.
“I took it in full consciousness, and I think I did well. Some of my slightly ‘fanatical’ friends are still angry, they did not want to accept my choice.”
“I think of the conspiracy theories that followed it: There were those who said it was the fault of the Vatileaks scandal, some of a conspiracy by the ‘gay lobby’, some because of the conservative Lefebvrian theologian Richard Williamson.
“They [his slightly ‘fanatical’ friends] don’t want to believe in a conscious choice. But my conscience is fine,” he said.
The Vatileaks scandal refers to the leak of confidential documents leaked by the Pope’s butler exposing corruption, bribes and power struggles to try to prevent Benedict’s efforts to implement greater financial transparency. The documents leaked included an anonymous letter warning of a death threat against Benedict.
Lobby
The so-called ‘gay lobby’, the existence of which Pope Francis acknowledged during a 2013 press conference on board the papal plane on the way back from his trip to Brazil, has long been the rumoured cause for the German Pontiff’s resignation. In the days leading to his February 11 surprise announcement, Italian media carried several unsourced reports of gay Vatican clergy working together to advance their personal interests and leaving the Holy See vulnerable to blackmail.
Lastly, the Bishop Williamson matter involved the scandal of Benedict ‘rehabilitating’ four bishops who had been ordained in 1988 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, founder of the traditionalist Society of Pius X, for which they incurred automatic excommunication. The Pontiff in 2009 decided to lift those excommunications, and soon after the scandal broke: Bishop Williamson had appeared on a pre-recorded television interview denying the Holocaust, a crime punishable with up to five years in Germany. The canonical sanctions on the men were reinstated, and Benedict publicly apologised for what happened.
Conversation
The newspaper reported that Benedict’s voice is “thin as a breath,” and during some sections of the conversation, almost soundless. His personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein was also present at the interview, and in some rare passages repeats and “translates” while Benedict nods in approval.
“The mind remains clear, quick as the eyes, alert and lively,” writes the journalist who met with the Pope emeritus.
“The white hair is slightly long, under the papal skullcap as white as his robe. Two very thin wrists emerge from his sleeves, highlighting an image of great physical fragility…[he] wears a watch on his left wrist and on his right a strange contraption that looks like another watch but is actually an alarm ready to go off if something happens to him.”
The retired Pope – who turns 94 next month – insisted during the interview “There are not two Popes. There is only one”.
He also reflected on Pope Francis’ upcoming trip to Iraq with the newspaper reporting that “his expression becomes serious, worried”.
“I think it is a very important visit,” he said. “Unfortunately, it comes at a very difficult time that makes it a dangerous trip for security reasons and because of Covid”.
“I will accompany Francis with my prayers,” the retired Pope said.
The newspaper also asked Benedict about US President Joe Biden.
“It’s true, he is a practicing Catholic, and personally against abortion,” the retired Pope said.
“But as president, he tends to present himself in continuity with the platform of the Democratic Party. And on gender policy, we still don’t have a clear idea of his position,” Benedict said.
Additional reporting by Cindy Wooden