Power changes hands in the Vatican
Benedict XVI has become the first pope to voluntarily resign in 700 years. The press discusses what this means for the Church, and who will replace the traditionalist Benedict: a younger pope, a more modern one, or perhaps a non-European?
taz - Germany | Friday, 15. March 2013
With its new Pope Francis, the Church has arrived in the globalised world, the left-leaning daily taz writes optimistically: » more
With its new Pope Francis, the Church has arrived in the globalised world, the left-leaning daily taz writes optimistically: "The first Jesuit on the Chair of St. Peter is proof that a sense of reality and efficiency is needed in the Church administration. And the demonstrative humility of the Archbishop of Buenos Aires makes it clear that the Church is better off dispensing with its official cars and ermine robes and showing its commitment to the poor. … Francis, who turned his back on his wealthy family and dedicated his life to the poor and nature - this is the promise to take the fate of the disenfranchised and the poor seriously and fight against the environmental destruction which threatens their existence more than anyone else's. The Franciscans are viewed within the Catholic Church as the social extremists, the Jesuits as the doers. … Above all for Latin America, Africa and Asia, Pope Francis can shape the identity of the Church in the 21st century. … As the leader of the only global player at the service of the people."
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Der Standard - Austria | Friday, 15. March 2013
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was elected pope on Wednesday evening, is the first Jesuit to head the Holy See. His order will prevent him from sealing himself off as his predecessor did, the left-liberal daily Der Standard hopes: » more
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was elected pope on Wednesday evening, is the first Jesuit to head the Holy See. His order will prevent him from sealing himself off as his predecessor did, the left-liberal daily Der Standard hopes: "Integrated as he is in the Jesuit network, one of the best within the Church, even in his role as pope Bergoglio will be far better informed about what is going on outside the Vatican than his predecessor Ratzinger (who in any event felt more at home in the silent study of the theologian). ... As far as power relations within the Church go, the scene on the Loggia of St. Peter's Basilica was profoundly symbolic: the pope of humility and modesty in simple white, surrounded by cardinals of the Roman Curia in luminous magenta. ... Francis will only have a chance as a reformer if he eschews the calm contemplation of his predecessor Benedict and allows himself a little creative chaos."
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Main focus of Thursday, 14. March 2013
The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the new leader of the Catholic Church after the conclave elected him as Benedict XVI's successor ... » more
The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the new leader of the Catholic Church after the conclave elected him as Benedict XVI's successor on Wednesday evening. As the first Latin American pope this represents a revolution, some commentators write jubilantly. Others fear that the modernisation of the Church will fail to materialise during this papacy, too.
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Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Tuesday, 12. March 2013
The conclave that will elect the successor to Pope Benedict XVI convenes today, Tuesday, in the Vatican. If the election of the new pope dominates the headlines, it's got less to do with the media's piety than with its fascination with Catholic pomp, the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung writes: » more
The conclave that will elect the successor to Pope Benedict XVI convenes today, Tuesday, in the Vatican. If the election of the new pope dominates the headlines, it's got less to do with the media's piety than with its fascination with Catholic pomp, the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung writes: "The personnel rotation in the Vatican amounts to nothing short of a refresher course in Catholic practices. However it remains an open question how long such knowledge will last in times that are so critical of institutions. ... At least in part, the media's focus on the antiquity of the Vatican also has to do with its fascination with the exotic. Because nowadays in the West, you only get to see men dressed up in colourful, almost Baroque robes at royal ceremonies, extravagant fashion shows or - as now - in the Catholic Church. Such exclusivity inevitably whips up media interest. But a papal election is at best a breather for the Church. In a media climate dominated by relativistic arbitrariness, the Church will only be greeted with sympathy for as long as it offers a spectacle."
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Main focus of Thursday, 28. February 2013
Pope Benedict XVI bid farewell to believers in his last general audience on Wednesday before stepping down today. Some commentators observe that Benedict has left ... » more
Pope Benedict XVI bid farewell to believers in his last general audience on Wednesday before stepping down today. Some commentators observe that Benedict has left many problems unsolved. Others are impressed by the energy he has put into restoring the credibility of the Church in his last days in office.
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El País - Spain | Thursday, 28. February 2013
During his last days in office the Pope has worked even harder than usual, the left-liberal daily El País notes: » more
During his last days in office the Pope has worked even harder than usual, the left-liberal daily El País notes: "Since announcing his resignation on February 11, Benedict XVI has made decisions of great import. Some are related to finances, while others deal with the abuse scandals. Joseph Ratzinger said this week that prayer is not a turning away from the world, but a turning towards action. This is what he has done. In just 17 days he has shown - almost as if it were the added time period in a game - that he is determined to point the way for his successor and at the same time help him with the two major problems gnawing at the credibility of the institution. In these two and a half weeks the pope dismissed two close collaborators of the powerful Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone and filled the position of director of the Vatican Bank which had been vacant for almost two years. He warned against corruption and also forced the resignation of the Scottish cardinal and member of the conclave Keith O'Brien."
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Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany | Thursday, 28. February 2013
Neither Benedict VXI nor his predecessor have provided adequate answers to the question of the future of the Church or the ecumenical movement in the eyes of the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: » more
Neither Benedict VXI nor his predecessor have provided adequate answers to the question of the future of the Church or the ecumenical movement in the eyes of the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "The latter question was addressed by Pope John Paul II as early as 1995. ... But there was hardly an echo in the Reformation Churches, and the response of the Orthodox church was modest, to say the least. However even more modest was the response in the Catholic Church to the Pope's call to reflect on the role of the Bishop of Rome. ... The cult of the person has meanwhile taken on almost blasphemous proportions - to the point where Pope Benedict also wants to be addressed as 'Your Holiness' even after he has retired. ... Both popes, each in his own way, only exacerbated the crisis of authority in the Church, as well as the crisis of the Church's authority in the world. ... Now it will fall on the successor to spell out the 'how' and the 'why' of the papacy."
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Corriere della Sera - Italy | Thursday, 28. February 2013
In his last general audience attended by more than 100,000 people, Pope Benedict XVI reaffirmed his belief in the power of the Church. But this unshakeable faith at the same time poses a major dilemma for Catholicism, church historian Alberto Melloni writes in the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more
In his last general audience attended by more than 100,000 people, Pope Benedict XVI reaffirmed his belief in the power of the Church. But this unshakeable faith at the same time poses a major dilemma for Catholicism, church historian Alberto Melloni writes in the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "Ratzinger wanted to be the 'Pope of the learned'. He distanced himself from Wojtylas' brand of 'charismatic church leadership'. But in the end he shared the latter's fundamental approach of breaking with the guiding principle of Paul VI [the pope of the Second Vatican Council]: that of mediation and dialogue. He battled for a strong Church in the belief that the power of faith is what defines the value of the Church for the people. ... Under the leadership of a theologian Pope, of all people, the great theological spokesmen were dropped in the hope of turning the Church into the ethical prosthesis of a West without a gospel [i.e. without faith]. ... But in the end the West showed the Church its limits, pointing to its ethical deficit. Finding a way out of this impasse is the legacy that Benedict XVI now leaves to his successor."
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Mladá fronta Dnes - Czech Republic | Thursday, 28. February 2013
During both Pope Benedict XVI's papacy and that of his predecessor the Church has failed to react to new challenges, which leaves the next pope facing some major tasks, the liberal daily Mladá fronta Dnes comments: » more
During both Pope Benedict XVI's papacy and that of his predecessor the Church has failed to react to new challenges, which leaves the next pope facing some major tasks, the liberal daily Mladá fronta Dnes comments: "The next pope will have to come back to the problems that his predecessors - be it out of weakness or deliberately - have left unsolved. Since the Second Vatican Council [1962 to 1965] new problems have arisen. The clash of cultures, disappointment with developments in the Third World, the rise of new superpowers, environmental problems and personnel scandals within the Church. Then there's the traditional areas of conflict such as birth control and celibacy. The latter are not so important, but resolving them would furnish a new course with a characteristic colour. One thing is for sure: it's time for a new Vatican Council. Both believers and atheists sense very strongly that changes are needed."
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Die Furche - Austria | Friday, 22. February 2013
After the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, many media have disappointmently concluded that the Catholic Church is becoming more secularised. This is misleading, the Christian weekly paper Die Furche writes, because in the Church, as in secular life, absolute monarchy no longer has a place: » more
After the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, many media have disappointmently concluded that the Catholic Church is becoming more secularised. This is misleading, the Christian weekly paper Die Furche writes, because in the Church, as in secular life, absolute monarchy no longer has a place: "Yet one still waits in vain for Church structures to reflect this development. ... To accentuate the spiritual leadership of the world's biggest community of faith, the 'secular' function should be stressed. But that doesn't work in the non-transparent, intrigue-provoking form in which the Vatican 'court' presents itself to this day. Modernity has long held expedient models at the ready - starting with the division of powers. ... It is hugely important for the future relevance of the office of the pope that progress be made on this front. Consequently the upcoming conclave will be faced with a landmark decision. ... Vatican insider dealings will resist any such trend with all their might. Fundamentally, however, Benedict XVI's stepping down already points in precisely this direction."
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Corriere del Ticino - Switzerland | Thursday, 21. February 2013
Pope Benedict XVI is considering bringing forward the conclave to elect the next pope, according to spokesman for the Vatican Federico Lombardi. The announcement made on Wednesday is further proof that Benedict's fear of a power struggle in the Curia was the true reason for his resignation, the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino writes: » more
Pope Benedict XVI is considering bringing forward the conclave to elect the next pope, according to spokesman for the Vatican Federico Lombardi. The announcement made on Wednesday is further proof that Benedict's fear of a power struggle in the Curia was the true reason for his resignation, the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino writes: "The power struggles within the curia are no dark legend but a fact. This is about more than just rivalry between different groups within the Church, as Vati-leaks has shown. … The revelations have opened the Pope's eyes to the situation: the Curia is too divided for him to grow old peacefully in its shadow, because it lunges for power when the pope is weakened, as was the case at the end of John Paul II's papacy. Although Benedict is resigning because he lacks the energy to continue, with this step he has also stripped the curia of its power and protected the Church from falling under the control of an institution that doesn't really seem to have the Church's best interests at heart."
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Gość Niedzielny - Poland | Thursday, 14. February 2013
Benedict XVI celebrated public mass as pope for what was probably the last time on Wednesday. His early resignation could set a precedent that puts his successors under pressure to no longer hold the office for life, the national-religious news portal Gość Niedzielny fears: » more
Benedict XVI celebrated public mass as pope for what was probably the last time on Wednesday. His early resignation could set a precedent that puts his successors under pressure to no longer hold the office for life, the national-religious news portal Gość Niedzielny fears: "We live in turbulent times. Christians are already the most persecuted group worldwide. And nothing points to this threat abating in the near future. Then there's the media terrorism of those who have no access to the Church. Their influence on public opinion is constantly growing. And they are intolerant. They brand anyone who upholds moral values as conservative or retrograde. The media will no doubt use this precedent to convince us during the next papacy that we need a new 'better' pope again. Therefore the Church urgently needs a strong papacy."
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De Standaard - Belgium | Wednesday, 13. February 2013
A new pope will do nothing to change the fact that traditional faith is on the wane in Western Europe, moral philosopher Patrick Loobuyck writes in the liberal daily De Standaard with an eye to Pope Benedict XVI's resignation speech: » more
A new pope will do nothing to change the fact that traditional faith is on the wane in Western Europe, moral philosopher Patrick Loobuyck writes in the liberal daily De Standaard with an eye to Pope Benedict XVI's resignation speech: "Whereas formerly it was almost impossible not to believe, nowadays Catholicism is the exception. Scientific rationality has drastically disenchanted our view of the world, which is why we apparently no longer even need to develop a religious attitude. In addition, nowadays few people are open to transcendental truths from above if they stand in the way of human freedom. ... Whether or not Catholicism gains ground here once again does not depend on the pope. The very message of the Church is having a hard time. ... The era of traditional belief in God is over. Even if not everyone sees eye to eye on this point, it doesn't look like God's on the verge of a comeback. Catholics may like to hope that the next pope will change all that by bringing new verve to his office. But such hopes are in vain."
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Sme - Slovakia | Tuesday, 12. February 2013
Benedict XVI's decision to end his papacy is testimony to his solid German rationality, the liberal daily Sme notes approvingly: » more
Benedict XVI's decision to end his papacy is testimony to his solid German rationality, the liberal daily Sme notes approvingly: "Even if Pope Benedict has been living in Rome for some time now he remained German in his way of thinking and views. He has a strong sense of responsibility, duty and a desire for functioning institutions. … His decision is the result of rational and practical deliberations. It will enhance his reputation rather than damaging it - in the conservative and progressive sections of the Catholic Church alike, and beyond it. Although he was always considered a traditionalist, his decision almost fits in the category of modern management decisions. Time will tell whether he has set a precedent that won't be repeated so soon or whether Ratzinger the traditionalist has created a new tradition. He has mastered the art of withdrawing when his powers are no longer sufficient to go on."
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Bild - Germany | Tuesday, 12. February 2013
The tabloid Bild, which published what must be Germany's most famous headline "We're Pope!" at the start of Benedict XVI's papacy, now writes "We're Human": » more
The tabloid Bild, which published what must be Germany's most famous headline "We're Pope!" at the start of Benedict XVI's papacy, now writes "We're Human": "Benedict admits he's no longer up to the task. 'I have come to the certainty that my strengths, owing to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,' he said in his resignation speech. He doesn't want to muddle along until God redeems his spirit, like his predecessor John Paul II. Benedict wants to give a younger pope the chance to (finally) modernise the Catholic Church. He admits that today's world is 'subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith.' And Benedict - that is probably the most important thing - will hear nothing of the 'infallibility of the Pope'. He says: 'I ask pardon for all my defects.' Yesterday's events will force the Catholic Church to tread new ground."
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De Volkskrant - Netherlands | Tuesday, 12. February 2013
Pope Benedict XVI has failed as the preserver of Church tradition, the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant writes, hoping for a more modern successor: » more
Pope Benedict XVI has failed as the preserver of Church tradition, the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant writes, hoping for a more modern successor: "As pope, Ratzinger presented himself as an intellectual, and was much more pastoral than people had expected. His messages were far less polemical than those of his predecessor. Benedict saw his task above all in interpreting the Catholic tradition, in the belief that this would lead his critics to arrive at the right insights. And that was precisely his mistake. ... It's a good thing that this Pope has now made room for another. Because despite all his mistakes, the number of Church members hasn't stopped growing - as unlikely as this might seem from a Western European perspective. That calls for new verve. The Church is in a new phase of development, flourishing above all outside Europe. It would be fitting for the next pope to be the symbol - and the face - of this development."
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The Daily Telegraph - United Kingdom | Monday, 11. February 2013
The departing Pope Benedict XVI receives predominantly good marks from the conservative paper The Daily Telegraph: » more
The departing Pope Benedict XVI receives predominantly good marks from the conservative paper The Daily Telegraph: "There have been public relations disasters, notably over the readmission of ultra-traditionalist bishops to the Church, one of whom had Nazi sympathies. But there have been unexpected successes too: not least his remarkable visit to Britain, when his gentle wisdom profoundly touched even sceptics. Always, as with his predecessor, there has been the shadow of the Church's inaction in the face of paedophile scandals. Benedict had the full measure of their wickedness; whether he did enough to prevent them in his earlier role as Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith will never be clear, but his detestation of those crimes has never been in doubt."
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Der Standard - Austria | Tuesday, 12. February 2013
The resignation of Benedict XVI is the first time a pope has voluntarily stepped down in over 700 years. A unique opportunity for the Church to take a progressive line, the left-liberal daily Der Standard writes: » more
The resignation of Benedict XVI is the first time a pope has voluntarily stepped down in over 700 years. A unique opportunity for the Church to take a progressive line, the left-liberal daily Der Standard writes: "As courageous as this voluntary end to his papacy is, in exercising his office the current Pope lacked courage and progressiveness. He will never be remembered as a reformer and representative of the Enlightenment in the Kantian sense, but as a retro pope. ... Whoever becomes the new head of the Church: the hopes for a more open church, equality between man and woman and a church more in touch with reality will rest on his shoulders. For the Catholic Church this voluntary resignation offers the chance for priests who describe themselves as disobedient to stop moving away from 'their' church; for Christians who were thinking about leaving the Church to revise their decision; for scandals to be dealt with and publicly confronted."
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La Repubblica - Italy | Tuesday, 12. February 2013
The Pope's resignation is a revolutionary act that will change the power structures within the Church, the left-liberal daily La Repubblica predicts: » more
The Pope's resignation is a revolutionary act that will change the power structures within the Church, the left-liberal daily La Repubblica predicts: "The Church is becoming more secular. Up to now, within the Church and among the faithful the Pope was regarded as Christ's representative on Earth. This means according to the First Vatican Council of 1870 that his words, as the words of the 'teacher of all Christians' are infallible in matters of faith and morals. Up to now this infallibility has prevented reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants and between Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox Church. ... The resignation of Benedict XVI removes this obstacle. ... The consequences of this secularisation will affect the distribution of power within the Church. Parallel to limiting the role of the Pope, the power of the Vatican Council and the synods, or the Bishops' Conferences, will grow."
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