Holy See explains reasoning behind dropping "Patriarch of the West"

Readers I'm sure remember that Pope Benedict recently dropped one of his titles, "Patriarch of the West" (which prompted our first-ever AP Poll). Many people were dismayed at this move (including the Orthodox!), so the Holy See has decided to explain their reasoning for the decision:

Vatican City, Mar. 22, 2006 (CNA) - Following widespread media speculation on the Vatican’s abandonment of the papal title, “Patriarch of the West”, the Holy See today offered clarification about the move saying the title was unclear and had become obsolete. It’s absence, they added, may now increase chances for meaningful ecumenical dialogue.

Speculation first started circulating after observant watchers noticed the familiar title conspicuously missing from this years edition of the “Annuario Pontificio” or pontifical yearbook.

Officials from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity said in a statement today that "From a historical perspective, the ancient Patriarchates of the East, defined by the Councils of Constantinople (381) and of Chalcedon (451), covered a fairly clearly demarcated territory. At the same time, the territory of the see of the Bishop of Rome remained somewhat vague.”

Read the rest of their historical treatment.