Legacy

The Times

Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Cracow, secretary to the late Pope John Paul II, was quoted as saying that Benedict’s predecessor had decided to remain Pope while dying an agonising death from Parkinson’s because “you don’t get down from the Cross”.

I first saw this over at the Daily Mail.  And yeah, it was definitely overblown, with only the apparently inflammatory quote without any contect.  So thanks to The Times for a bit more information.  The extra info regarding the quote may extinguish the flames for me.  But I think this illuminates that now more than ever, John Paul II's greatest legacy.  He and his papacy are the greatest in living memory and therefore the measuring stick again which all others will be judged.  And Benedict XVI will now be fully measured up to his predecessor, with their respective exits from the papacy probably the greatest contrast of all.