[Ratzinger has defended the Vatican's treatment of Kueng, saying in his 1997 book] Salt of the Earth ... he should not then demand the church's seal of approval.

It is a sign of hope for many Catholics and for many people in the world that two so different people as we are nevertheless agreed on many things with regard to the future of the world.

It shows the pope is not obsessed with the past, but is keeping his options open and is willing to do unconventional things that even the innermost Vatican circles don't expect.

This is not a withdrawn pope who looks to the past. He looks at the situation as it is and is capable of listening,

although he gave him 100 days to ''learn.

That he dedicated to me so many hours — and this was extraordinary — I am happy that this was possible,