Pope Francis is not in favor of making celibacy optional: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/202 ... -celibacy/

okay i give up.... what exactly is the "boom" ?

That's what can happen when you have another Pope hanging around in the background. Especially one who knows something about theology and tradition and the teachings of the Church.

I venture that Benedict must have felt compelled to break his silence. Or the Holy Spirit is in action ... which, of course, it always is.

The sound of something decisive and something which cannot be discounted ... especially if the thing dropped into the punch bowl is unexpected.

Sort of like a mortar round dropping onto your tent.

Thanks for the clarity. Thats what I was fishing for.