A Vatican conspiracy persists, and a bigger mystery unfolds

Pope Francis embraces Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI before opening the Holy Door to mark opening of the Catholic Holy Year, or Jubilee, in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, on Dec. 8, 2015. (Photo by Osservatore Romano/Handout via AP)
(RNS) Controversy over the so-called Third Secret of Fatima has erupted – yet again. But the real intrigue may lie in new claims that Benedict XVI is still a pope, if not THE pope.