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Vatican Insiders Call Pope 'a Disaster'

Gaffe-prone and out-of-touch Benedict aggravates Holy See

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 20, 2009 8:05 AM CDT
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(Newser) – As Benedict XVI continues his pilgrimage in Africa, sources inside the Vatican say that the pope's frequent gaffes and difficulties with modern communication are threatening to undermine him. One member of the Vatican told the Telegraph that Benedict is "a disaster" who is "out of touch with the real world," citing his recent explosive remark that condoms aggravate the AIDS crisis.

Benedict's lifting of the excommunication of a bishop who questioned the Holocaust, along with inflammatory remarks about Islam and homosexuality, have unleashed a torrent of bad press for the Vatican. The Holy See's reluctance to embrace the Internet and long traditions of secrecy have made matters worse, said one source in Rome, who lamented, "The Vatican is far removed from the reality on the ground."

Angela Merkel, German chancellor, called on Pope Benedict XVI for a very clear rejection of Holocaust denial after he rehabilitated a bishop who questioned its existence.
Angela Merkel, German chancellor, called on Pope Benedict XVI for a "very clear" rejection of Holocaust denial after he rehabilitated a bishop who questioned its existence.   (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano)
Pope Benedict XVI walks in front of an honor guard as he departs from Yaounde, Cameroon Friday, March 20, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI walks in front of an honor guard as he departs from Yaounde, Cameroon Friday, March 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Pope Benedict XVI recently departed for Angola on the second leg of his first papal visit to Africa.
Pope Benedict XVI recently departed for Angola on the second leg of his first papal visit to Africa.   (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Pope Benedict XVI kisses a young girl as he leaves the Amadou Ahidjo stadium to celebrate a Mass, in Yaounde, Cameroon, Thursday, March 19, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI kisses a young girl as he leaves the Amadou Ahidjo stadium to celebrate a Mass, in Yaounde, Cameroon, Thursday, March 19, 2009.   (AP Photo / Osservatore Romano, Pool)
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during a Vespers prayer inside the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, in Rome, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during a Vespers prayer inside the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, in Rome, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
AdaptAndOvercome
Feb 3, 2010 2:34 AM CST
Funny how "The Devil Wears Prada" came out just as the new pope Benedict came on the scene wearing Prada. He's not out of touch, they are just trying to paint him as such...maybe they'll use alzheimers to get rid of him. If he were so out of touch, then why is it that he knows so much about high dollar shoes and has his garb taylor-made, instead of buying it at the store where the rest of the religious nuts get theirs?
riffran
Mar 21, 2009 2:55 AM CDT
the pope needs to stay out of the bedroom
northeast
Mar 20, 2009 5:13 AM CDT
Condoms spread AIDS? That's a core Catholic belief?

Pope arrives in Angola to put condom row behind him
Times (UK)

 
Pope Benedict XVI • Catholic Church • Vatican • Holy See • Richard Williamson

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