Stinging words for pope from top Australian cleric George Pell
Australia's representative at this month's secret conclave to elect a successor says Benedict was a 'brilliant teacher' but 'government wasn't his strong point'
Australia's most senior Catholic, Cardinal George Pell, has criticised Pope Benedict, describing his historic resignation as destabilising and questioning his governance skills.
Pell, Australia's representative at this month's secret conclave to elect a successor, said Benedict was a "brilliant teacher" but "government wasn't his strong point".
"I think I prefer somebody who can lead the church and pull it together a bit," Pell said in a candid interview.
He pointed to the so-called "Vatileaks" scandal, in which Benedict's butler leaked secret papal memos revealing intrigues between rival groups of cardinals, though he said it was "very easy to be wise after the event".
"I think the governance is done by most of the people around the pope and that wasn't always done brilliantly. And I'm not breaking any ground there - this is said very commonly," Pell added in a later radio interview from the Vatican.
I think the governance is done by most of the people around the pope and that wasn't always done brilliantly. And I'm not breaking any ground there - this is said very commonly
He also said the pontiff's decision to resign set a worrying precedent for the church.