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Quote from: Mabel

I think something big was about to crack open and Ratzinger's resignation stopped it. I'm not saying it was blackmail but it took the wind out of his heretical sails. It was my impression that playing pope was no fun for him anymore, given the mess and scandals he inherited.

I'm not ruling out coercion, but when I first heard about the resignation my immediate gut response was not a good one (and that was before I questioned his being Pope to begin with). I always thought there was more to the story.

I'm not a Ratzinger's fan but he definitely didn't like attention and power the way Wojtyla did. He'd smile for the camera but he wasn't out there looking for a a photo-op all the time.

I think he was expecting something more intellectual and he was sadly disappointed and found the office unfulfilling. Perhaps he had the idea that he was truly going to show the beauty of his baby Vatican 2, but it turns out by the time he got into the position to show the world, the new modernists were already past that.

Personally, I think he wanted it to be the 60s, in terms of modernist intellectualism, all over again. I also think he really loved the idea of the historical role of the papacy, not in the sense of the office but in the rich history surrounding the persons who held the office and some of the externals. He did bring out some papal garments that were stunning, from time to time.

I don't think he was ready for the secrets, the evil, the scandal and the kindergarten-clap-your-hands-and-sing theology. Essentially, his hopes and agenda were unfulfilled. What was the point of him continuing in such an environment? Like going to your 50th class reunion and learning that all your friends are dead. No fun.