Well, since the Almighty is supposed to guide the heart of the Pope, either this "unnamed source" doesn't believe in the word of God, or he doesn't believe that the Pope is guided by God. Either way, he's apparently demonstrating that he doesn't believe at all in the Papal tradition... rather curious for one supposedly in the Vatican for 20+ years.
(I smell a reporter with a penchant for creating quotes.)
Actually the story read: "a Vatican source with 20 years' knowledge of the Holy See." I think your guess of a reporter could be right. There are some who have covered the place for that long. Or it could just be a liberal Catholic who has been a Vatican watcher for that long, and has his knickers in a twist, because Pope Benedict is SO effective.