Despite not having the charisma of his predecessor, the present Pope draws those keen to listen, writes Fr Michael Collins.
What do Ian Paisley and Pope Benedict XVI have in common? They are both octogenarian Christian ministers who have achieved the highest office when most would be long retired.
Moreover, both have had a rather mixed reputation, which changed when they assumed new office. Both will continue to have critics who believe that these Christian leopards will never change their spots.
In two days time, Pope Benedict will be 80, just as he begins the third year of his pontificate. Introducing the first volume of his new work Jesus of Nazareth, he explained: "I do not know how much time I am left and how much strength I will be given."
So, how may we assess the first two years?
Following the long pontificate of Karol Wojtyla, Benedict has stamped his own, somewhat low-key personality on the office.
Whereas John Paul II was a relatively unknown quantity when he was elected in 1978, many people felt they already knew Joseph Ratzinger, who had worked at the Vatican for almost 25 years.
He was often described as the Panzer Cardinal, or in other less flattering terms.
In an interview for Bavarian television last August, Benedict commented that public perception of the church was often negative.
"Christianity, Catholicism is not a collection of prohibitions; it's a positive option. We've heard so much about what is not allowed that now it's time to say to people, we have something positive to offer." He could have been talking about himself. His first encyclical, God is Love, was an extended meditation on forms and expressions of love.
Having spent a lifetime in academia and bureaucracy, it is no surprise that Benedict enjoys concepts and words. The author of several books, he is at his most relaxed when reading a prepared text in public. He enjoys writing, and also delivering his texts as the quintessential university professor. He has also developed an easy Q&A format, happily chatting to people as they pose questions for him to answer.
His immense cultural preparation, not only in the area of theology, makes him a compelling writer, addressing topics such as global warming and humanitarian crises. He rarely leaves his reader bored. Writing about secularism and relativism, he exposes the intolerance of philosophies which seek to banish religion to the private sphere. Like comparable world religions which place faith at the centre of daily life for their believers, Benedict encourages Christians to live out their faith with pride.
The pope has often expressed admiration for the discipline of Islam as one such world faith. Speaking at his old university of Regensburg last September, Benedict addressed the topic of the relationship between faith and reason. A citation from a 14th century Byzantine emperor, Manuel II Palelogos, landed him in trouble. The emperor had declared "show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman" Since the pope quoted it out of context, it sparked a storm of protest, some of it violent.
The reason for the unexpected reaction was that he touched two nerves. Some of his European audience may have become nervous of the rising number of Muslims within the EU, many of whom are poorly integrated.
Moreover, he also upset Turkish politicians, whose country he was due to visit two months later. In an interview in Le Figarothe year before being elected pontiff, he had expressed reservations about Turkey joining the EU.
Amid violent protests, the pope expressed regret for any offence. The newly appointed secretary of state Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone hastily convened a group of Muslim leaders to meet the Pope at Castlegandolfo the week after the address in Regensburg in an effort to smooth the waters.
The trip to Turkey, ostensibly to celebrate St Andrew's feast and visit the Orthodox Patriarch, Bartholomew I, went off smoothly. The images of Benedict praying with Muslims in the direction of Mecca were significant in calming public opinion. But the fact that Benedict changed his mind about Turkey's future admission to the EU must certainly have helped.
Generally, the pope takes less interest in global politics than his immediate predecessors. Nevertheless, Benedict's role as a world religious leader and mediator in conflict resolution should not be underestimated. Most recently, his intervention to Ayatollah Khameini helped free the British military personnel from captivity.
Ultimately, what people are most impressed by are his clarity, his humanity and his sincerity. It has often been observed that while people came to see John Paul II, they come to listen to Pope Benedict. He may not have the charisma of John Paul II, but Benedict is emerging as a persuasive voice determined to challenge and help those willing to listen.
Michael Collins is a priest in the archdiocese of Dublin and the author ofBenedict XVI - Successor to Peter (Columbia Press).