Certainly.
On the other hand, there’s good reasons for Popes to be very careful in their use of terminology, even in off the cuff remarks and interviews.
From the search you kindly provided, here’s what Ratzinger had to say in 1986. It’s pretty long, but anyone who is truly interested in the Church’s actual teaching would be well served to take the time to read it..
(Of course, that will eliminate a great number of the usual suspects....)