"In Jerusalem I would agree. But even in Milan?"
All Latin rite patriarch have the title but no authority, which is much like calling an ox a bull--he's grateful for the compliment, but would rather have what is rightfully his. By creating titular patriarchates, the Holy See devalues the functional, historical patriarchates which are the heads of autonomous Churches.
An excellent point. And in denying his own proper title, "Patriarch of the West" he seemingly adds to the confusion of roles (Successor of St. Peter, Patriarch and Bishop) which as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict) he had previously lamented.
