A Tale Of Two Popes

POPE BENEDICT is "plotting the downfall of Pope Francis," a panicked expert has warned after admitting Francis has been unable to push through vital changes to Catholicism in the hope of modernising the church.

Many cite Benedict as one of the key traditionalists within the Catholic church is pushing against Francis’ wish to allow sweeping changes at the Vatican in order to appeal to today’s worshippers. Expert Lynda Telford, author of ‘Women in the Vatican: Female Power in a Male World’, argues that Francis has wanted to continue the late Pope John Paul I’s work in ensuring acts such as contraception can be used within the church without prejudice. However, she fears that Benedict – who stood down as pope in a historic move in 2013 – is leading a charge of angry traditionalists within the Vatican who do not want to see such modern ideals as part of a new Catholicism mandate.

She explained that John Paul I had been determined to instigate change, especially on the topic of contraception, after he saw firsthand the issues surrounding sex and poverty.

John Paul I’s brother, Ms Telford said, had numerous children – but he and the infants’ mother struggled to feed them, such was the condition of their life.
Had contraception been allowed, John Paul I’s brother may not have lived through such abject poverty, she claimed.

But when asked whether Francis would be able to bring about those liberal alterations to secure his legacy as head of the Vatican, Ms Telford told Express.co.uk she felt that as long as Benedict was alive and in the church, no such moves would ever be made.

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