As we reflect on the death of Pope Benedict we acknowledge his great gift of theological insight and his powerful writing exploring Jesus’ life and teaching.
He became Pope, at a very difficult time in the history of the church, and courageously called for accountability from the church for the wrongs of the past.
Perhaps his great final contribution was his insight to recognise that the papacy was a task rather than a gift and that it should be relinquished when he could no longer carry it out effectively. May he rest in peace.