Benedictions
Sir: John O’Sullivan’s summary of Pope Benedict XVI’s ‘extraordinary contribution’ to Catholic thought was masterful (‘Benedict’s reformation’, 16 February) — and how interesting that the Pontiff’s writings and speeches have helped create a new ‘Catholic atheist’ movement. It is a shame, however, that O’Sullivan didn’t mention another area in which Benedict has challenged western ideas: his repeated denunciation of ‘unregulated financial capitalism’ as a threat to world peace. Adam Smith would have agreed with him. I hope that O’Sullivan’s omission was not ideological blindness as to the nasty side of free markets.
Camille De La Chesnais
Yorkshire
Sir: Charles Moore writes that Benedict XVI’s memoirs, if he writes them, would be a papal first (Notes, 16 February). Not quite: read the vivid and witty Commentaries of Pius II (Pope, 1458-1464), who died on the way to leading a crusade to retake Constantinople from the Ottomans. An excellent translation from the Latin was published in 1959 (Allen and Unwin).
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in