Now, almost eight years later, Ratzinger's task is done. His successor will follow in his footsteps: there are no cardinals who advocate an alternative magisterium, or a revolutionary interpretation of "the spirit of Vatican II". It is a paradox, of course, that the last act of an orthodox pope is unorthodox: no pope since the Middle Ages has resigned. Although in the last weeks of Pope John Paul II's life, his Secretary of State, Cardinal Sodano, had said the resignation of a pope should not be ruled out, and Pope Benedict himself had mentioned it as a possibility, it nevertheless came as a surprise. 

The reasons he gave for his decision were increasing feebleness in mind and body. Clearly, he felt he no longer had the strength for the punishing programme of travel and public appearance that is expected of a modern pontiff. He may also have been dismayed by the picture of a rudderless administration of the Holy See that emerged from the trial of his butler, Paolo Gabriele, and the subsequent inquiry led by Cardinal Herranz. Pope Benedict had never been much interested in administration and his experience was limited to a few years as Archbishop of Munich and directing a small staff at the CDF. 

If any criticism can be made of him, it was that it was vain of him to expect to combine governance of the universal Church with writing books. His secretary, Monsignor Gänswein, made sure he had the space in his life to do this — as pope he published a trilogy, Jesus of Nazareth — while the governance of the Church was left to the curial cardinals, in particular Cardinal Bertone.

After his resignation Celestine V was locked up in Castel Fumone by his successor, Boniface VIII. Pope Benedict will move out of the Vatican palace into a former convent overlooking the Vatican gardens. He will be free to write further works to encourage and inspire us with his profound wisdom and great faith.