Archbishop Benedictus

Archbishop Benedictus (formerly Jarl, surname unknown) is the leader of the Church of the Holy Light based out of Cathedral of Light in the city of Stormwind.

History
The current archbishop is a middle-aged man named Jarl, though following Church tradition he gave up his birth name when he was elected to this high position, and adopted a new, holy name.

In his youth, he was the younger son of a wealthy Lordaeron merchant, and was raised to join the family business. He found religion instead, discovering the Holy Light after meeting an old traveler one night and almost dying when a pack of mercenaries attacked them both. After recovering, Jarl petitioned to join the Church, and was accepted immediately. The kindly Jarl was the student of Lordaeron's religious leader, Archbishop Alonsus Faol. Jarl spent many years learning from his pious master. He rose quickly to the rank of senior priest, and had charge of a large town in Lordaeron when the Scourge appeared. Jarl did his best to evacuate his parishioners and then joined them in their flight to Azeroth. The Church settled him in a town there, but soon promoted him to Stormwind City instead. While there, he helped the Church of Light construct its most striking monument: the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind. He was being considered for promotion to bishop when Archbishop Faol died, and the council chose to elevate him to archbishop instead. The newly named Benedictus took charge of the Church and swore to continue the good work his mentor had begun so many years before.

Politics
Benedictus is a soft-spoken man of average height and stocky build who looks more like a farmer than a religious leader. He still hates the Scourge for destroying his homeland, and has vowed to direct the Church in destroying that threat forever. Despite his quiet ways, Jarl is surprisingly adept at politics — at least in avoiding confrontation and forming alliances — and he has managed to keep the three bishops in check since his elevation.

In World of Warcraft
Archbishop Benedictus is a level 60 elite quest giver located in the Cathedral of Light in Cathedral Square, in the human city of Stormwind.

Quotes
Aggro
 * Sacrilege! Defend the cathedral!

Greeting
 * Light be with you. What can I do for you today?
 * Welcome to the Cathedral of Light.
 * Be at peace.
 * You are welcome here.

Cataclysm


Benedictus has received a new outfit and a significant increase of the health pool in Cataclysm.

During the Elemental Invasion, Archbishop Benedictus protects the Cathedral District from the Elements.

Trivia

 * "Benedictus" (or "Benedict") is a Latin name that has been the regnal name of sixteen popes of the Catholic Church, including the current Pope Benedict XVI. Given that Archbishop Benedictus' position as head of the Church of Light is similar to that of a pope, it is possible that the Archbishop's name was influenced by the traditional latin name. However, Archbishop Benedictus was created when John Paul II was the pope, long before the reign of Benedictus XVI and so Archbishop Benedictus could not have been named after the current pope. Or was he?
 * Due to technical issues with Bolvar, Benedictus was considered faction leader for Stormwind during patch 1.4.1 for PvP purposes. The patch notes jokingly stated that he had "staged a temporary coup."
 * At some point during the Cataclysm beta, datamined sound files began circulating the internet regarding Benedictus, engaging in a conversation with King Varian Wrynn, the king confronting him with an incriminating document of some kind. It would appear that Benedictus was to be outed as a member of the Twilight Cult, and would betray Stormwind, though this "event" was ultimately never implemented.
 * The event in question has been speculated to have been scrapped, with minor characters taking on the role this would have fulfilled.
 * Archbishop Benedictus' new voice and quotes resembled that of Chancellor Palpatine of the Star Wars saga during his confrontaion with Mace Windu, when the Jedi uncovered his real nature. This would have well reflected Benedictus' nature, that of a two faced agent of Darkness and serve as a great tribute to the movie. However it was not implemented, just like the event and he still retains old, calm and pleasant voice.
 * It was also speculated that he was The Black Bishop.