Former Pope Benedict XVI Died and Left a “Legacy of Failure on Church Abuse and of Shielding Abusers

“Pope Francis paid tribute to his predecessor FORMER POPE BENEDICT XVI Thursday.” “The event marked the first occasion in modern times that a pontiff had presided over the funeral of his predecessor – and the first ever of one who resigned.” Pope Benedict [born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger] was “the first pontiff in almost 600 years” who “resigned his position - rather than hold office for life.” Benedict cited “advanced age as the reason for giving up his post as the leader of the 1.2 billion-member Roman Catholic Church.” “On February 11, 2013, Benedict, the oldest person elected to the papacy since the 18th century, announced he would resign, saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength required to lead one of the world’s largest religious organizations.” Pope Benedict XVI died December 31, 2022 at the age of 95.

“Hours following the funeral for the former Pope Benedict XVI, an Italian publisher released advanced copies of a tell-all book that has apparently revealed years of tension in the Vatican.” “Pope Benedict’s unprecedented 2013 resignation subsequent refusal to leave the Vatican created an atmospheric setting in the holy city read more...