Possible Inspiration For The Pope's Name: Benedict XIV, Pope During The Enlightment.

Now that Cardinal Ratzinger has been elected Pope and taken the name Benedict XVI, the search is on to discern the name's significance.

Here's a help. Check out the biography of Benedict XIV.

Like the new Pope, XIV was a scholar. Like the new Pope, XIV was Pope during a time of crisis when many in Europe were turning away from the Church in an era of increasing secularism. In XIV's case, the Enlightenment of the 18th Century. As such, XIV butted heads with Voltaire. Like the new Pope, XIV was a doctrinal conservative.

Sound familiar?

-tdr