I see his statement as more of an attempt to bring wayward Catholics back into the fold. There are (liberal, V2) priests that believe there is no difference between being a Catholic versus not being one.
I think you are judging him unfairly when you say he has no good will towards Prots. I think he is trying to rein in his own sheep, which as you know, there are some troublesome and highly visible members.
We frequently read things as to be aimed at us, whereas sometimes/frequently they are not.
That is wishful thinking. Benedict is more old school, which declared,
We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” Pope Boniface VIII, Bull Unam Sanctam (1302), asserting “Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus” - “Outside the Church there is no salvation.” (http://www.lightministries.com/id525.htm). Very sadly however, both her official teachings and contemporary formal studies (http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html#Sec4)and prima faci evidence show the exact opposite is most typically the case.
Rome teaches works help merit salvation, “we must believe that nothing further is wanting to the justified, to prevent their being accounted to have, by those very works which have been done in God, fully satisfied the divine law according to the state of this life, and to have truly merited eternal life..” - The Sixth Session DECREE ON JUSTIFICATION CHAPTER XVI.
And what it effectually coveys is even worse, as it is not a Catholicism that might bring souls to anxiously strive for their salvation, by which they might be salvifically enlightened to salvation by grace thru faith alone (which faith is not alone), but rather Catholicism fosters faith in itself (as well as one’s own works) so that even the most nominal Catholic feels he will one day (finally) enter God’s Heavenly City.
When a K of C club beer-guzzling Catholic sees the grand funerals given to liberal politicians (Ted and John will get theirs), it only reinforces this delusion. But if a man like Ted Kennedy got converted, and became a conservative Baptist, then Rome would probably send a special envoy to entice him back!