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| The rupture, as Pro Tridentina (Malta) had written, exists ... |
This was shown by none other Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI ...
After being accused of spreading “fake news,” the Vatican last Saturday released the complete letter by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI about Pope Francis. The previously hidden part of the letter provided the full explanation why Benedict XVI has refused to write a commentary on a new Vatican-published compilation of books about Francis’ theological and philosophical background.
"Nonetheless, I do not feel that I can write a brief and dense theological page about them because for my whole life it has always been clear that I would write and express myself only on books that I had also truly read. Unfortunately, even if only for physical reasons, I am not able to read the eleven little volumes in the near future, all the more so in that I am under other obligations to which I have already agreed."
Not only did he say that he did not have time, Benedict noted that one of the authors involved in the project had launched “virulent,” ‘’anti-papist” attacks against his teaching and that of St. John Paul II. He said he was “surprised” the Vatican had chosen the theologian to be included in the 11-volume “The Theology of Pope Francis.”
“I’m certain you can understand why I am declining”
One must remember that the photojournalism industry standards forbid such manipulation of a photo, especially if it alters the content and meaning of the image, as it did.
When the prefect of the communications office, Monsignor Dario Vigano, read part of Benedict’s letter aloud at the book presentation, he gave the impression that Benedict confirmed that Francis has a solid theological and philosophical training and he praised the book initiative for showing the “interior continuity” between the two papacies. He wrote it was “foolish prejudice” to paint Francis as only a practical man devoid of theology and Benedict as a mere academic who knew nothing of the lives of ordinary faithful.
However, Vigano’s effort to show papal continuity effectively backfired. Benedict’s harsh criticism of German theologian Peter Huenermann, showed the evident differences in theological approaches of the two popes.
