Pope Francis says Pope Benedict was a 'great pope'

[_Abyssinia]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Retired Pope Benedict XVI is a perfect example of how intellectual knowledge and scientific curiosity do not lead a person further from God, but can strengthen their love for God and for his human creatures, Pope Francis said.

“Benedict XVI was a great pope,” he said: “Great for the power and penetration of his intellect, great for his considerable contribution to theology, great for his love for the church and for human beings, great for his virtues and his religiosity.”

Pope Francis praised his predecessor Oct. 27 at a meeting of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. The academicians invited Pope Francis to unveil a bronze bust of Pope Benedict at the academy’s headquarters in the Vatican Gardens.

catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1404420.htm

 

[ProVobis]

Good to hear this.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

I agree with Pope Francis!

 

[M-Dent]

Excellent. Francis presented the Pope Emeritus as a model for dialogue between faith and reason. And we should thank God for this!

 

[sennincatholic]

Pope Benedict XVI has a very special place in my heart!Pope Francis is smart!

 

[Jeanne_S]

I agree with Pope Francis!

 

[ialsop]

The Pope recently realized that his activities at the synod may have been mistaken by the modernists as permission to act the way they do, and now he is affirming to all publicly that that is NOT the case!
I love Francis!

 

[RosslynV]

The Pope recently realized that his activities at the synod may have been mistaken by the modernists as permission to act the way they do, and now he is affirming to all publicly that that is NOT the case!
I love Francis!

Are you saying that there are modernist bishops and cardinals?! Heaven forbid. Doubt it

 

[chero23]

I believe that when it is all set and done, Pope Benedict XVI will go down as one of the best Popes in history. Probably in the top 3,

 

[Nelka]

 

[Neofight]

Can’t argue that!

Even if he does not get canonized, I fully expect him to be named Doctor of the Church for his theological writings, both as Cardinal Ratzinger and Pope Benedict XVI.

 

[FollowChrist34]

catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1404420.htm

Am so pleased to see this. Maybe this middle course won’t be so bad after all!

 

[LongingSoul]

I believe that when it is all set and done, Pope Benedict XVI will go down as one of the best Popes in history. Probably in the top 3,

We’ve certainly lived in blessed times. The fact that Pope Benedict (Card. Ratzinger) was such a trusted and loved confident of both Pope St JPII and Pope Francis, in his support of their offices… speaks volumes about him.

Apparently according to his biographers he has been trying to ‘retire’ since the late 90’s but no one will let him.

 

[Digitonomy]

"LongingSoul:

Apparently according to his biographers he has been trying to ‘retire’ since the late 90’s but no one will let him.

Apparently he finally had a boss that would accommodate his request!

We’ve certainly lived in blessed times.

I agree. I find chero23’s suggestion a bit farfetched, that a pope with an 8-year pontificate who felt the need to retire would be one of the top 3 in the Church’s 2000-year history. But I do think all of our recent pontiffs have been above average in the history of the Church.

Through much of Church history, the pool of candidates was limited to those near Rome, and there was also lots of political wheeling and dealing involved in the election of a pope. Not just the politics of different factions of cardinals within the conclave - that’s always present. But worldly politics, of nations and kings and wealthy families. The disappearance of most of that kind of politics from the conclave, as well as the expansion of the pool of candidates (not to mention the electors) means popes from the last 80 years are for the most part within the top 20% of popes in history. IMHO, of course.

 

[FollowChrist34]

Apparently he finally had a boss that would accommodate his request!I agree. I find chero23’s suggestion a bit farfetched, that a pope with an 8-year pontificate who felt the need to retire would be one of the top 3 in the Church’s 2000-year history. But I do think all of our recent pontiffs have been above average in the history of the Church.

Through much of Church history, the pool of candidates was limited to those near Rome, and there was also lots of political wheeling and dealing involved in the election of a pope. Not just the politics of different factions of cardinals within the conclave - that’s always present. But worldly politics, of nations and kings and wealthy families. The disappearance of most of that kind of politics from the conclave, as well as the expansion of the pool of candidates (not to mention the electors) means popes from the last 80 years are for the most part within the top 20% of popes in history. IMHO, of course.

Yes, for me JP II was such a hard act to follow. I feel like in many ways Benedict did not get the full recognition he deserved because of that. People (maybe more outside of the Church than inside) saw him as a “JP II” II. I always thought of him as the scholarly type and I did really relate to him in a unique way for that. I did love it when he was Pope. We have definitely have had a good run of Popes. Long may that continue. We need them now more than ever. And I am ok with the retirement decision too; I know that rattled some (I liked him in there fighting for my side). But I think that is being selfish on my part - you have to respect his decision - will of God.

 

[ialsop]

Are you saying that there are modernist bishops and cardinals?! Heaven forbid. Doubt it

Not sure if sarcastic or not…umm yes obviously there is…have you seen say, Cardinal Kasper? Francis has condemned the elitist error, now he also corrects the modernist error, and YES that floods our Church…where have you been???

 

[CaptFun]

There goes the honeymoon from the left of center media!

On the other hand - truth is its own reward.

And Benedict is the greatest Pope Emeritus in centuries!

 

[LongingSoul]

Apparently he finally had a boss that would accommodate his request!I agree.

Even now you could only call him semi retired though!

I wouldn’t be surprised if he actually saw himself a ‘bridging’ Pope similar to how in politics sometimes, the deputy PM or vice President will run and be elected for one term until the right leader for the new era emerges.

 

[livingwordunity]

Probably every book he wrote is a good one. But here are some books by him that I’ve read and would recommend:

Jesus of Nazareth
In the Beginning
**The Ratzinger Report
**Truth and Tolerance

 

[chero23]

Apparently he finally had a boss that would accommodate his request!I agree. I find chero23’s suggestion a bit farfetched, that a pope with an 8-year pontificate who felt the need to retire would be one of the top 3 in the Church’s 2000-year history. But I do think all of our recent pontiffs have been above average in the history of the Church.

Through much of Church history, the pool of candidates was limited to those near Rome, and there was also lots of political wheeling and dealing involved in the election of a pope. Not just the politics of different factions of cardinals within the conclave - that’s always present. But worldly politics, of nations and kings and wealthy families. The disappearance of most of that kind of politics from the conclave, as well as the expansion of the pool of candidates (not to mention the electors) means popes from the last 80 years are for the most part within the top 20% of popes in history. IMHO, of course.

You have to remember that as a young man, Joseph Ratzinger was a brilliant theologian. He wrote something in regards to the Second Vatican Council. It was so good, that then Pope John XXIII used his same words. Pope Benedict had an 8 year pontificate and some people might say it was too short. But considering what the man did as a theologian, as a bishop, as a Cardinal, as JPII right hand man, and as Pope, when you put his pedigree together, it is impeccable.