I’m not RC but after reading this the Pope went way up in my estimation.
You don't have to be RC to admire the Pope. Benedict is the equal or better of his predecessor John Paul, in my opinion -- less populist and more theologically deep (with great respect to John Paul's astounding job of global travel, smashing communism in Eastern Europe, revitalizing young believers around the world and enduring personal suffering).
I'm not RC, either; but I recall reading somewhere that before Benedict became Pope, his post as a key advisor to John Paul was as head of Vatican theological "policy" -- a critically important job due to the emergence of instant world communications during the 25-year reign of John Paul, which suddenly ramped up the speed and volume challenges to traditional authority. The Vatican had to interpret the scriptures for a barrage of of fashionable "new" satanic argument -- feminism, gayism, secularism, cloning, abortion, the normalization of out-of-wedlock sex, etc.
Despite the disappointing failures of some local clergy and dioceses in the priestly sex scandals and the incursion of Marxist/leftist "liberation theology" among Catholic leaders in this country and in South America, both John Paul and Benedict have led a church that remains theologically sound at the top. This is a saving grace and greatly deserving of respect, in that the former cultural leaders of Protestantism -- Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, etc -- have vastly deteriorated theologically during the same period of challenge.