, the Vatican then began an immediate race to correct this and to suggest the pope was not saying this officially as pope.
Kinda reminds me of so-called Christian politicians who say, "Personally I'm opposed to abortion but ...." and then they vote to support any and all pro-abortion bills that come to the floor.
This whole kerfluffle isn't even "personal"; it's hearsay from a third party, a "journalist" so-called.
But yeah, the Pope can teach things as a private doctor without putting Papal authority behind it. BXVI's books say in the forward explicitly that they are his own personal opinion, not formal teaching as Pope.