Arjay,

The Guardian is not a reliable source, as it is leftist.

Constance,

I reckon Jesus was a leftie....he was certainly a radical!

By implication that means only Right Wing media is reliable. That is a dangerous thought.

Arjay in this case you are looking for a conspiracy that doesn't exist. The Church was outed on it's failure to address pedophilia some time ago and any of the contenders will all be part of the same culture (hopefully with lessons learned). Using your logic any future Pope would be a potential patsy.

"I reckon Jesus was a leftie..."

Or else ambidextrous if He was God's right hand?

As has been pointed out, Ratzinger is a scholar. As a "believer", he probably considers he can do more in his declining years for his faith in retirement, prayer and contemplation than he would otherwise achieve by fulfilling the role of Pope.

The reality is that it was a reasonably bold move to announce his retirement from that role, it being tacitly understood that a Pope remains in the role unto death.

When I heard his announcement, I rang two friends of mine who are church attending Catholics. I was quite amazed at the turn of events, but neither of them batted an eyelid at the announcement...strange....

Poirot/Pelican,

Yes, Jesus would have been a genuine radical of the left. But what I am saying that today's Left are a lost cause. They have become instead the elitists (in the overall picture) and betrayers of the common good. You haven't noticed this, Pelican? I have had affiliations with leftie causes in the past when human rights use to actually mean just that - but no longer do. The Left have sold out. Forget Amnesty International - it has become too political.

And so was Pope Benedict XVI, a radical on the current state of economics and globalisation. Most people aren't aware of what he has been saying. What other leader is addressing the repercussions of extreme capitalism? And does encyclicals on Love.
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/contributors/pope-deserves-recognition-for-radical-views-on-ethical-economics-20130214-2efvl.html

There is no justice for workers these days. Look up Rerum Novarum.