To draw up the balance sheet of a pontificate, of which we lack an adequate historical perspective, is something very pretentious on my part, and also on the part of any other analyst. But, since so many have already been published, I don't think one more will matter.

Let us remember, first of all, what the Holy Father said about himself when he was asked at order to define himself. He said, without beating around the bush, that he is "a professor who has become Pope". We should add that he is a brilliant theologian who has directed the first steps of the Church in the 21st century, when the most interesting and perhaps the hardest cultural battle of the last five hundred years is being fought.

Benedict XVI has done very well in this context. He has more than fulfilled his mission statement. He has maintained a prudent balance, not at all easy, between tradition (a basic element in Christianity) and progress (because the Church walks in history and with history). It was convenient to open windows and, at the same time, to reaffirm the road traveled for two thousand years. Sometimes fidelity to tradition requires making choices, because there are traditional things that do not belong to the essence of the origins.

And this selection has disappointed the traditionalists. On the other hand, not all progress is clean wheat, because there are also tares, and in shaking the grain to separate it from the chaff, some things have not pleased everyone, especially the rupturists. However, only in this way can we shake hands with the first apostolic generation as a sign of identity and communion, and at the same time look ahead, because time does not stand still.

Let us turn now to another outstanding aspect of the pontificate that is coming to an end. Benedict XVI has shown admirable respect for the law. He is convinced that the law should not be ignored under the pretext of a pretended charity, because in the end justice, which is the guarantee of order and freedom, is offended, and the government is then thrown into confusion and confusion. We have seen this with the sad abuses of some ecclesiastics and with other reprehensible matters.

It is true that Benedict XVI's management has encountered many obstacles and resistance; but he has shown his successor the pathway to get out of the mess that the media have profusely aired in recent months.