I wrote this not long after Benedict was made Pope.
I thought becoming pope would be a happier day for me. I mean, I’ve waited all my life for this. Why am I so upset then? Well, I guess it’s the name. Benedict. I hate that name. My successor was John Paul. I get Benedict, the 16th no less! Joseph Ratzinger is a good name. But Benedict the 16th? Good grief. When the masses cheered for John Paul, it had kind of a ring to it—John-Paul, John-Paul. But when they cheer for me, it will be Ben-uh-dict, Ben-uh-dict. But what can you do? I had to choose something, so I chose common papal name.
I am 78 years old, so chances are I won’t be around that much longer. But what would have been so wrong with using my name—Joseph. It’s Christian and Jewish. One of the all time great Bible stories is about Joseph and his brothers, that coat of many colors. I wear a colorful robe too. So how about Pope Joseph? Maybe with all of the Cardinals still here, we can reconvene and get my name changed. Then I would be truly happy.
I thought becoming pope would be a happier day for me. I mean, I’ve waited all my life for this. Why am I so upset then? Well, I guess it’s the name. Benedict. I hate that name. My successor was John Paul. I get Benedict, the 16th no less! Joseph Ratzinger is a good name. But Benedict the 16th? Good grief. When the masses cheered for John Paul, it had kind of a ring to it—John-Paul, John-Paul. But when they cheer for me, it will be Ben-uh-dict, Ben-uh-dict. But what can you do? I had to choose something, so I chose common papal name.
I am 78 years old, so chances are I won’t be around that much longer. But what would have been so wrong with using my name—Joseph. It’s Christian and Jewish. One of the all time great Bible stories is about Joseph and his brothers, that coat of many colors. I wear a colorful robe too. So how about Pope Joseph? Maybe with all of the Cardinals still here, we can reconvene and get my name changed. Then I would be truly happy.