Retired pope says criticism against Pope Francis is 'foolish prejudice'

Vatican City — On the eve of the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis' election, retired Pope Benedict XVI defended the continuity of the church's teaching under his successor and dismissed those who criticize the pope's theological foundations.

In a letter sent to Msgr. Dario Vigano, prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for Communication, Benedict applauded the publication of a new book series titled, "The Theology of Pope Francis."

"It contradicts the foolish prejudice of those who see Pope Francis as someone who lacks a particular theological and philosophical formation, while I would have been considered solely a theorist of theology with little understanding of the concrete lives of today's Christian," the retired pontiff wrote.

The Secretariat for Communication released a photograph of the letter in which the final lines of the first page were blurred. While Benedict said early in the letter that he hoped the 11 volumes would put an end to the "foolish prejudice" against Francis, in the blurred lines the retired pope said he could not write a complete theological reflection on the 11 volumes because he had not read them and would be physically unable to do so in time for the presentation of the volumes to the public.

Vigano read from the letter, including the blurred lines, during a presentation of the 11-volume series March 12.

The Vatican press office did not say why the lines were blurred, but said the Vatican never intended to publish the complete text. In fact, the second page of the letter -- except for Benedict's signature, is covered by books.

Before reading the letter, Vigano said he sent a message to Francis and Benedict regarding the publication of the book series.

He also asked if Benedict would be "willing to write a page or a page and a half of dense theology in his clear and punctual style that (we) would have liked to read this evening."

Instead, the retired pontiff "wrote a beautiful, personal letter that I will read to you," Vigano said.

Benedict thanked Vigano for having given him a copy of "The Theology of Pope Francis" book series, which was authored by several notable theologians.

"These small volumes reasonably demonstrate that Pope Francis is a man with profound philosophical and theological formation and are helpful to see the interior continuity between the two pontificates, even with all the differences in style and temperament," he wrote.

Benedict has made no secret of his affection for and admiration of Francis.

During a Vatican celebration for the 65th anniversary of Benedict's priestly ordination June 28, 2016, the retired pope expressed his sincere gratefulness to Francis, saying that his goodness "from the first moment of your election, in every moment of my life here, touches me deeply."

"More than the beauty found in the Vatican Gardens, your goodness is the place where I live; I feel protected," Benedict said.