One of the things I like about this Pope is that he does not feel the need to put his personal stamp on existing doctrines by re-expressing them. Unless it is something that is of importance - a truth that needs to be reaffirmed, for example - he keeps his personal observations personal and does not elevate them to Papal pronouncements.
BTW, when I was in Rome I heard that there is a very important document being prepared on natural law. This may not sound earth-shaking, but it will be a foundation for stating that it is obligatory for Catholic politicians to follow natural law (not Church law, but natural law, such as that which dictates union between a man and a woman, or that forbids the killing of the innocent or unborn, etc.) in their votes. The practical aspects are that Catholic politicians may not vote for things that violate natural law and, in the case of laws that already exist, are bound to do as much as possible to attenuate their effects). This is expected to be quite controversial and Italian "intellectuals" and politicians are already shreiking about it. So when BXVI does act in his capacity as Pope, he really plays for high stakes!
I would bet that they were salivating for some magisterial pronouncement that they could start deconstructing by throwing a variety of bulls,moto proprios,encyclicals,anathemas and other documents that were promulgated throughout the ages by the Popes and could be admixed and interpreted to be contradictory.
Oblivious,or wickedly cognizant,of the levels of acceptance ordinary Catholics owed to the various documents they (catholics and non-catholics dedicated to destroying the Church) could have used anything he wrote as a start to engaging in yet another long and confusing battle of words,specious arguments,dissembling and outright lies. All activities that distract participants from the focusing on the truth as well as immediate crises and resolution of same.
This Pope is brave and brilliant,with this decision he has defused their ammunition and is doing exactly what Jesus told Peter to do in their last talk in John and that was "you,follow me." Ideally,that is the way it is supposed to work,Peter follows Jesus,the apostles follow Peter (Pope),the priests follow the apostles (bishops) and we who are Catholics follow our priests on that journey that leads us home to the Father.