Pope Benedict XV!

Pope Benedict was a particularly conservative pope who refused to change the church's traditional lines on celibacy, homosexuality, abortion and contraception. He is now though the first Pope to resign in 600 years and his resignation will mean that future popes will be free to resign when appropriate. I like the quote from The Independent, that I read in The Week; 'Pope Benedict's resignation could be the most modernising act he has ever committed'. Here is a picture of the young Pope Benedict: