Pope's resignation is no cause for celebration

This man has attempted to turn the world back to the 14th century.

Mr Ratzinger has continued to persecute gay people across the planet. He has sentenced millions to death and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa through the Catholic church's antediluvian teachings that condoms don't prevent HIV and abstinence-only sex education. He tried to stop stem-cell research which could possible cure diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes and Parkinson's.

Mr Ratzinger personally welcomed holocaust-denying Bishop Richard Williamson back into the Catholic church, he compared atheists to nazis and while he was a cardinal he refused to defrock a priest who molested 200 deaf children.

Ratzinger's shadow will loom large at the conclave to choose his successor.

He would not have resigned unless he was sure that his successor would be as rigid and dogmatic as he was.

The only good thing about Ratzinger's papacy is that he has turned more people to atheism than Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens combined.

Alan Hinnrichs

Dundee