Why did Benedict XVI purposefully choose "Pope Emeritus" instead of "Bishop Emeritus of Rome" & Claim this title "Corresponds to the Reality"?

Antonio Socci in his book says that an authoritative canonist told Benedict XVI that his new title "ought" to be "bishop emeritus of Rome" since he would no longer be pope.

But, Benedict had it "announced" that his title would be "pope emeritus."

After the resignation, which later in the book Socci says is "at least... absolutely doubtful," Benedict's secretary Georg Ganswein said:

"He [Benedict] believes that this title corresponds to the reality."

Socci explains the "doubtful resignation" problem if Benedict thinks this "corresponds to the reality":

"The pope emeritus is logically still the pope, just as a bishop emeritus is still a bishop."
(The Secret of Benedict XVI, Pages 64-73)

Comments

Renato said…

This is a new reality in this context, but in a subtle language:

"The emeritus should not be understood in the legal sense, as a 'retired bishop'. Both because there is no canonical status, as Don Regoli points out, and because it is an oxymoron: the pope could never be emeritus, as the canonists Boni, Fantappié, Margiotta-Broglio, etc., have already affirmed. The adjective must necessarily be understood as qualifying-historical-literary, in the original etymological sense, that is, deserving of "emereus": someone who holds an office or a title because he is entitled to it even if he is not active, since, in this case, he was deprived of his power and prevented from occupying the seat" (https://sfero.me/article/monsignor-ganswein-explains-the-extended-ministry-in-ratzinger-code-the-real-meaning-of-pope-emeritus).

5:54 AM

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