In addition, Mike, what else is known is that +Ratzinger never wanted to become what he saw +John Paul II become: horribly incapacitated both physically and mentally while in public office as pope.  It may be +Benedict's vanity or a simple sense of self dignity, it matters little.  But then Cardinal Ratzinger saw what happened to the Church in (St.) John Paul's slow and agonizing decline, and - much to his credit - wanted to save the Church from what he knew was happening to him.  All other considerations aside, we are talking about a man who devoted his entire adult life to his Church and to Christ.  That is to be respected, and valued, I believe.  May God bless Joseph Ratzinger, and may God bless Pope Francis.

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