Have someone in mind?

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Jan 13, 2017

Peter Seewald, who has worked with Pope-emeritus Benedict on several book-length interviews, spoke to Catholic World Report about the former Pontiff, whom he characterizes as “one of the most misunderstood personalities of our time.” The world saw Pope Benedict (through the eyes of the media) as a hard-liner, a cold authoritarian personality. That image was completely inaccurate. As Seewald describes the real man, I can’t help wondering whether he is drawing an implicit comparison to someone else, whose media coverage has also created an inaccurate impression:

I believe that Benedict XVI was the collegial and prudent Pope which the Second Vatican council had wished for. And that which he decreed, although perhaps uncomfortable, faithfully corresponded to the teachings of the Gospel. Moreover, he exercised his office with a unique dignity.