The position seems to meet the Ockham’s Razor test. However that test is not conclusive.
I think Benedict is too principled a man to have succumbed to blackmail. That’s why my mind goes to darker possibilities, like some form of brain manipulation.
I know that sounds crazy. But even 30+ years ago the Soviets were deep into drug experiments with political prisoners they deemed to be psychiatric cases (because you’d *have* to be crazy to be a dissenter in the Workers’ Paradise!) And they gave dissidents psychoactive drugs which “ adjusted their attitudes” and degraded their cognitive abilities.
Can’t remember off hand the name of the guy I was most concerned about at the time. Was it Vladimir Buharsky? —something like that.
My point is, anything that *has* been done, is possible to do.
And this *has* been done.
Please pray.