Some hint that Pope Benedict has been good for Germany:

The Archbishop of Berlin, Cardinal Georg Sterzinsky, said many Catholics — including many Germans — had initially been skeptical about the conservative Joseph Ratzinger becoming the first German pope since the 16th century.

But he told Berlin’s Inforadio that the year had shown that Benedict had been good for the Church, and for Germany.

"At the time a lot of people said, no, we would rather not have anything to do with the Germans. And now it is a German and the world and the great majority of believers are all in agreement and thrilled," he said.

"With that, Germany has also been rehabilitated. Germany wrought so much disaster but it has come to terms with it. Now someone who grew up in Germany has brought the world great blessings."