RIP.
Fun fact, he was Pope Emeritus longer than he was the actual pope.
One would imagine that if his god actually existed he would have to some serious explaining to do. That’d be a conversation worth listening to.
I rather suspect he doesn’t get the opportunity to talk to the Big Guy, but went straight to hell.
Rest in peace.
I hope someone will write a short biography of him. I am interested in his life, but do not intend to wade through three volumes.
Either that or his god actually prefers things Benedict’s way.
Human nature seems remarkably impervious to improvement. If one grants arguendo the inherently silly notion of gods, intentional creation of humanity to a plan, popes, etc., one has to logically conclude that as awful as humanity is, and as badly as it collectively behaves, that’s what the god wanted.
The Economist is justly famous for their one-page biographical obituaries published every week. But only one per week. They now face the unenviable challenge of choosing between Pope Benedict & Barbara Walters. In terms of sustained long-term impact on the world, probably Walters. In terms of worldwide recognition and relevance, Benedict. Decisions. Decisions.
I think I may give up my subscription to The Economist. Later today I will tally up the books I read this year. Between The Economist and the Failing New York Times, I am frankly overwhelmed.
I vote for Pelé.
And concerning the biographes, I believe the TFP (The Former Pope) is one of the cases where the Wikipedia entry is enough.
Good choice. At least Pelé, unlike Benedict XVI, had donated a signed jersey to the Vatican museums.
That’s the sort of humor I come here for. Thanks for making my Saturday and early in the day to boot!
I believe that he retired to avoid the inquiries about his role in covering up sex abuse within the church.
Infallible, my ass.
(Man, I’d love to see the look on his face when he realizes that there’s no afterlife)
This is also the kind of humor I come here for. 
I think you are channelling Stephen Fry on meeting god at the pearly gates. I must have watched this a dozen times, and despite the content of what he’s actually saying I still can’t help laughing out loud at what he packs into two minutes.
Countdown to a Catholic popping in to say “Well, actually, the doctrine isn’t that everything the Pope says is infallible”…
I adore Stephen Fry. I noticed his interviewer seemed a bit less than happy with what he was saying as it went on, but he was quite polite at the end.
Ex-Catholic, and I thought about it but passed it up. 
I disliked Ratzenberger. I don’t think he was a good person at all.
Good riddance to human garbage. He actively supported child rape, and allowed priests to be moved so they could continue raping children. I truly wish there was a Hell because that is where he belongs. F*** him!
slacker …
… riding the gravy train and gaming god’s pension system 
.
jokes aside: I think his place in history will be defined not by what he did, but by what he failed to do …
Too pooped to pope.
That dude had some beady, comic book villain eyes.
You sure you aren’t mixing him up with Cardinal Law?