Vatican City, March 18, 2014 – Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI never ran out of surprises. Archbishop Georg Gänswein, a secretary to the two Popes, was tasked by Pope Francis to ask Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to criticize the former’s own interview with a Jesuit magazine. The current Pope as we know is a Jesuit; one can’t help but wonder if he is applying the principle of examen, an essential part of the Spiritual Exercises taught by St. Ignatius, in asking the former Pope to make the criticism. It is tantamount to asking St. Paul to make judgment on St. Peter before the former could make a remark. Many see this as a humble gesture on the part of Pope Francis following the words of wisdom:
It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools. (Ecc. 7:5 (7:6) Douay Rheims Bible)
On the other hand, who is in a much better position to criticize a Pope than a former Pope, who, despite being highly intellectual and highly accomplished servant of the Church, remains meek? By doing so, Pope Emeritus is living the maxim:
He who rebukes a man gets more thanks in the end than one with a flattering tongue. (Prov. 28:23 NAB)
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