Benedict XVI

From RationalWiki

Benedict XVI is the current Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as the first German pope in a number of centuries. Before becoming Pope, he was known as Joey Rats Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, which is the modern name for the same Office in the Curia which was once known as the Roman Inquisition. Cardinal Ratzinger was well-known as a fanatic about doctrinal orthodoxy, putting him in a league with such apologist superstars as Josh McDowell and R.C. Sproul. Ratzinger was so ideologically conservative that he earned the nickname "Doctor No." Between that, and a stint as a young child in the "Hitler Youth," also led many to refer to him as the Nazi Pope.

However, while still strongly conservative, he has been more noted as pope for his emphasis on the love that the church should show to the world, rather than for his insistence on doctrinal purity. In many cases, he has actually shown leniency for heterodox priests in Spain and Latin America. Recently, however, the insistence on doctrinal purity has come back into focus, especially with regards to homosexuality. He has also been somewhat more critical of Berlusconi's recent discriminatory actions towards gypsies - more so than most of Berlusconi's political opponents, anyway. Perhaps he feels that the Catholic Church has something to make up for, but, nonetheless, this is a Good Thing.

According to the prophecies of the medieval monk, Malachy, Benedict XVI is the last Pope before Peter II (who is likely a later insertion, but that's a long story for another article).