The Time of Two Popes Has Ended - Or Why I think that Next Year Will (Finally) Be a Normal Year

I'm suddenly far more optimistic about the new year now that we're back down to just one pope.

Benedict was the first pope to retire in 6 centuries when he resigned about a decade ago. His death marks the end of this anomalous disruption of traditions, the end of the time of two popes.

I fully expect the rate of weirdness to drop off now, the West no longer off-kilter. If I'm right about how this works, next year will be just a normal year, which will be a big relief.

Photo from NY Times.