It occurred to me that maybe Joe Ratzinger is finally -- finally! -- fed up with the whole Vatican deal. Had enough of the venality, the coverups, the lies, the profligacy, the corporate skullduggery. All of these are shielded by the thickest of walls, the slickest bank accounts, the most shameless protocols, not to forget cubic metres of dead air and layers of ornate clothing.
In the discussions of the retirement today -- at least on public radio -- of Joe Ratzinger, there have been hints that the Vatican is falling apart and that this may be another sign. Of course, "falling apart" may just amount to joining the rest of us in the 21st century.