# The official Pope Benedict XVI thread. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 19, 2005, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079 "2005-04-19T16:41:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/1 "2005-04-19T16:41:35Z")
Reactions, criticism or praise for the selection. I’m very disappointed. Not so much for him being conservative, though partly that, but I was really hoping for pretty much any non-Caucasian. ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/2 "2005-04-19T16:46:59Z")
Isn’t he nearly 80? They’ll likely have to do this again soon. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/3 "2005-04-19T16:48:13Z")
77, and that’s part of the idea. Long tenures are generally followedby short ones. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/4 "2005-04-19T16:49:29Z")
> [@furt](#): > > 77, and that’s part of the idea. Long tenures are generally followedby short ones. Let’s hope not as short as JPI. God be with him as long as he lasts. Regards, Shoda ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/5 "2005-04-19T16:53:22Z")
How’s about a link to who the guy is (ie, his real name) and some background on his theological perspective. From the OP, I’ll just say that I think “the 16th” is rather cumbersome… ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/6 "2005-04-19T16:55:23Z")
I’m dissapointed, but reservedly so–after all, it isn’t my church (although if its social positions were more liberal it might very well be some time in the future). I think Christianity in general needs a shot in the arm, at least in the west. I don’t see that happening with this pontiff, but I wish nothing but the best for him and the church. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/7 "2005-04-19T16:59:52Z")
The former Cardinal Joseph Ratziger. He’s mentioned in any number of threads here; do a search. Out of respect for our Catholic members, I won’t characterize his attitudes and theology. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/8 "2005-04-19T17:00:19Z")
Hmmm…well, Pius VIII was supposed to be a liberal, (or was it Pius IX?), and turned out to be an ultra-conservative once he was elected. (The guy who first started the _ex cathedra_ doctrine.) I’m disappointed too. Although he did take the name Benedict, and if I’m not mistaken, Benedict XV was rather liberal. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/9 "2005-04-19T17:01:24Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > How’s about a link to who the guy is (ie, his real name) and some background on his theological perspective. Joseph Ratzinger is Pope Benedict XVI. Theologically and socially, well, here’s a blurb from the NY Times on him: > [@The NY Times](#): > > One of the closest theological advisors of John Paul II. Has been the church’s doctrinal watchdog since 1981. Has shut the door on any discussion of ordination of women, celibacy of priests, homosexuality. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/10 "2005-04-19T17:01:27Z")
[Link to Wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Cardinal_Ratzinger) ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/11 "2005-04-19T17:01:27Z")
Well, we survived the Borgias, the Medicis, The Avignon schism, and any number of Holy Roman Emperor puppets. We’ll probably survive Ratzy. ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/12 "2005-04-19T17:01:36Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > The former Cardinal Joseph Ratziger. He’s mentioned in any number of threads here; do a search. Out of respect for our Catholic members, I won’t characterize his attitudes and theology. He’s _that_ bad? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/13 "2005-04-19T17:02:29Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > How’s about a link to who the guy is (ie, his real name) and some background on his theological perspective. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, very conservative, though undoubtedly a smart cookie. He’s been a close advisor to JPII for a long time. As far as I know, he’s even more staunchly against: Women clergy Same-sex marriage Birth control Than JPII. The scariest thing from a PR perspective is the Nazi ties. Someone will have a good cite. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/14 "2005-04-19T17:03:18Z")
Here’s the last (I think) Pope predictions thread which I started: [Current Next Pope Predictions](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=300831&highlight=pope) There’s some background/links there to see who he beat out. Of course all the betting links are dead. I have a feeling this choice will be dissappointing for many. Not for the conspiracy theorists though. Quite a shot in the arm for the old “RCC was in league with the Nazis”. lol ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/15 "2005-04-19T17:03:54Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > The former Cardinal Joseph Ratziger. He’s mentioned in any number of threads here; do a search. Out of respect for our Catholic members, I won’t characterize his attitudes and theology. Why not? This is a debate, so if we only hear one side we won’t learn anything. Do you mean you need some time to prepare a non-Pitworthy post? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/16 "2005-04-19T17:05:58Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, very conservative, though undoubtedly a smart cookie. He’s been a close advisor to JPII for a long time. > > As far as I know, he’s even more staunchly against: > > Women clergy > Same-sex marriage > Birth control > > Than JPII. How can you be more opposed than JPII? Did he have anything good to say about any of those subjects? > [@](#): > > The scariest thing from a PR perspective is the Nazi ties. Someone will have a good cite. He was in Hitler Youth, IIRC, but so what? Did any kids have a choice about joining? ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/17 "2005-04-19T17:06:47Z")
I can’t say I’m wild about having a hard-line ultraconservative as Pope right now, but we’ll see. What are the likely candidates for his first official actions? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/18 "2005-04-19T17:08:00Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > The scariest thing from a PR perspective is the Nazi ties. Someone will have a good cite. To be fair to him, he doesn’t really have Nazi ties. He was a kid in Nazi Germany, which meant he had to join the Hitler Youth, which was mandatory. Then, near the end of the war, he was drafted. He then deserted, was captured by the Americans, and spent the rest of the war in an American POW camp. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/19 "2005-04-19T17:08:59Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > How’s about a link to who the guy is (ie, his real name) and some background on his theological perspective. From the OP, I’ll just say that I think “the 16th” is rather cumbersome… Benedict XVI is ( now former ) Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Catholic Church’s modern iteration of the Inquisition ( not a poke, but quite literally - he was Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the office which replaced the Inquisition ). German-born, briefly inducted into the Hitler Youth during WW II ( purportedly against his will ) and the archest of arch-conservatives in the Catholic church today. Reportedly a superb theologian. Wikipedia: > **[Pope Benedict XVI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Cardinal_Ratzinger)** > > Pope Benedict XVI (Latin: Benedictus XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI.; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, German: \[ˈjoːzɛf ʔaˈlɔʏzi̯ʊs ˈʁatsɪŋɐ\], on 16 April 1927) is a retired prelate of the Catholic Church who served as the head of the Church and the sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2005 until his resignation in 2013. Benedict's election as pope occurred in the 2005 papal conclave that followed the death of Pope John Paul II. Benedict chose to be known by the title "po... - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079/20 "2005-04-19T17:09:23Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > How can you be more opposed than JPII? Did he have anything good to say about any of those subjects? You can go even more out of your way to say bad things. > [@](#): > > He was in Hitler Youth, IIRC, but so what? Did any kids have a choice about joining? No, and he did desert at risk of execution. OTOH, that won’t make a difference to some. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-pope-benedict-xvi-thread/300079.md?page=2)