A Gay Lobby Tried To Influence Decisions At The Vatican Says Former Pope, Benedict XVI

In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI became the first Pope in six centuries to resign. The history-making decision was attributed to different reasons by different people.

Some linked the Pope’s resignation to things that looked like scandals which came out of the leaking of his personal letters and other documents by his butler. The conclusion by many close analysts was that there was corruption and a power struggle in the Vatican.

However, Pope Benedict XVI attributed his resignation to his failing health. He was quite unambiguous that his health and age could no longer cope with the rigours of the papacy. His famous statement that power does not qualify one for the kingdom of God still lingers in the minds of many around the world.

Now, it does appear, there were occurences and developments during his tenure which only retirement would permit him to talk about. Now, his memoirs have been put together in a book titled “The Last Conversations.”

In the upcoming book, Pope Benedict XVI who now goes by the title of Pope Emeritus says there was “a gay lobby” made up of four or five people who sought to influence decisions in the Vatican. The book also quotes him as saying that he managed to “break up this power group.” During the “Vatileaks”, as the leaking of his personal letters and documents was called, Italian media reported that a faction of prelates who wanted him to resign were behind it all.

Reuters reports that an Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, has acquired the rights to run excerpts and has access to the book. The newspaper ran a long article which summarised the key points in the book on Friday.

Corriere della Sera says that in spite of that revelation, Pope Benedict maintains that he did not resign as a result of blackmail or pressure. The Pope Emeritus also discloses in the book that he told only a few people close to him about his intention to resign as he feared that it could be leaked before he made the surprise announcement on February 11, 2013. Pope Benedict also reveals that he had to overcome his own doubts on the effect his decision could have on the future of the papacy.

Benedict XVI says he was “incredulous” when cardinals meeting in a secret conclave chose him to succeed Pope John Paul II in 2005 and that he was “surprised” when the cardinals chose Francis as his successor in 2013. The newspaper also says the Pope “admits his lack of resoluteness in governing.”

The Catholic Church is opposed to homosexuality. However, rights groups have over the years claimed that there are many gay people working for both the Vatican and the Church. Many insiders believe that some homosexuals have bonded together to promote each other’s careers and influence decisions in the bureaucracy.

“The Conversations,” is obviously the first time in history that a former pope would speak on his own papacy after he leaves the high office. Significantly, as he was resigning, he promised to remain “hidden to the world.” The former pope has been living in a former convent in the Vatican gardens.

Now, Pope Benedict says he kept a diary throughout his papacy but that he will destroy it although he knows it would be a “golden opportunity” for historians.

This article is based on the report by Philip Pullela which was published by Reuters.