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Ross Douthat: The first afterlife of Pope Benedict XVI

The Francis era has returned the church to a state of open theological division.

(Andrew Medichini | AP photo) In this Oct. 19, 2014, photo, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI arrives in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican to attend the beatification ceremony of Pope Paul VI, and a mass for the closing of a two-week synod on family issues, celebrated by Pope Francis. Vatican’s Pope Benedict XVI, citing old age, resigned in 2013 at age 85 to Pope Francis, becoming the first pontiff to abdicate in 600 years.