Pope Benedict XVI in shock resignation

Cerise · Feb 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign at the end of this month in an unexpected development, saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85.

He became Pope in 2005 following John Paul II's death.

Resignations from the papacy are not unknown, but this is the first in the modern era, which has been marked by pontiffs dying while in office.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti is quoted as saying he is "greatly shaken by this unexpected news".

The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says the news has come "out of the blue", and that there was no speculation whatsoever about the move in recent days.........................................................................

BBC News - Pope Benedict XVI in shock resignation

SO will there be a YOUNG man to follow do you think?

tecoyah · Feb 11, 2013

Let the speculation begin....let's see...hmmm.

The fired ,jailed, and pardoned bulter stole documents implicating some serious dirt on the Pope, but the information was kept under wraps for awhile and is now about to escape.

The Pope has uterine cancer and his gender surgery in the past is going to be noted.

Alien life has been discovered by the Vatican observatory, and the church doctrine is about to get a facelift.

Likely, due to the incredible secrecy and corruption within the Catholic Country we will not be allowed to know....which is why I tend to not much care.

Aeonpax · Feb 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI Says He Will Resign

ROME — Citing advanced years and infirmity, Pope Benedict XVI stunned the Roman Catholic world on Monday by saying that he would resign on Feb. 28 after less than eight years in office, the first pope to do so in six centuries. - http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/world/europe/pope-benedict-xvi-says-he-will-retire.html?_r=0

Interesting development. When I was in college, I took a year of Catholic Theology, just out of curiosity. Considering the church is still reeling from all the child molestation scandals (including the one in LA right now) and the incident with his butler revealing Vatican financial improprieties, I wonder how much that had to do with this.

tecoyah · Feb 11, 2013

Merger

Duplicate Threads Merged

ThirdTerm · Feb 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI decided to retire because of his declining health and at 85, he may have found it hard to keep up with his official duties and Prince Philip also retired last year citing his age and he gave up his post as the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, which he had held since 1976. Moreover, given the controversies surrounding the Church, he may have reasonably come to a conclusion that he should give way to his successor to clean up the image of the oldest Christian organisation and the legacy of John Paul II overshadowed Benedict's papacy.

"After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths due to an advanced age are no longer suited" for the task, he said. The pope said that "both strength of mind and body are necessary" to oversee the world's 1 billion Catholics, "strengths which in the last few months, have deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me."
Pope Benedict XVI to resign

Pope Benedict XVI in shock resignation

Cerise

tecoyah

Aeonpax

tecoyah

ThirdTerm

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