VATICAN CITY (AP) — It was the quietest of announcements that had the effect of a thunder-clap on the Catholic world: A year ago Tuesday, Pope Benedict XVI said in a voice so soft that cardinals strained to hear that he was becoming the first pontiff to resign in more than half a millennium. On the eve of the anniversary, Benedict’s longtime private secretary credited his boss’ stunning decision with opening the way to the “enormous impact”Pope Francis is having on the church and world at large.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=214075