Not out of an appropriate sense of shame, but because his health is failing, he will become the first pope to resign since the Middle Ages.
ROME — Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday he will step aside as leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics on Feb. 28, saying he no longer has the strength to carry out his duties.
Speaking in Latin, the 85-year-old announced his decision during an address at the “Concistory for the canonization of the martyrs of Otranto”, a small event held early in the morning.
The decision makes him the first pope to resign since the Middle Ages.
His statement was posted on the Vatican Radio website. Carrying out the duties of being pope required “both strength of mind and body,” it said.
NBC New Vatican analyst George Weigel gives his thoughts on Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement of his resignation, and explains how a new pope will be selected.
“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 to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,” the pontiff’s statement said.
He did advocate for some progressive causes, but they will be overshadowed by the ongoing child rape scandals.
I wonder if he gets to keep his Prada shoes?
So, Pope Ratso resigns. To spend more quality time with his family, you think? I wonder which lobbyist he’ll go to work for.
The Pope gave his 2 week notice and told 1.2 billion Catholics to “take this job and shove it.” Smart man. The last time a Pope resigned was in 1415 and the Pope was Gregory XII. He and Benedict XIII (how about that) who was also the Pope agreed to resign at the same time. There was a political battle going on called the Western Schism and the question was whether a Frenchmen or a Roman should be the Pope. Neither of these chuckle heads could come to an agreed upon solution so Gregory XII told everybody to shove it and then resigned. The current Pope has destroyed the finances of the Church with the billions in “hush” money that he’s paid out in the priest molestation, and white slavery cases. Good riddance.
I am glad I was christened Episcopalian…. I don’t care! 🙂
I wonder if his successor will also be named Pope Pedophilus.
Funny, but Cardinal Ratboinker was about half-good and half terrible in his positions and actions: covering up pedophilia, being strongly anti-gay, against female priests, against abortion and birth control, and claiming tht Roman Catholicism is the only correct religion — but, also pro-labor union, environmentally enlightened, moderate on immigration, in favor of more income equality, and sensitive to some third world problems.
Is it too much to hope for a new Pope (like my man John 23) who’s willing and able to lead the church into the current century? If such a person were to be elected, would the Vatican mafia allow him to live for very long?
Over the past 30 years, the Vatican has purged everyone but the most conservative from the leadership ranks. It’s unlikely they will choose an unknown, but you never know.
He’s now the Holy See Ya Later.
Can we expect the Catholic change with the next Pope? I don’t really think so. Cardinal Marc Ouellet, formerly the archbishop of Quebec City, has the best odds of replacing Pope Benedict XVI, but he is an extremely conservative man who will definitely not want the Catholic church to change. He is expected to be a carbon copy Pope Benedict XVI.
Gryphen’s Immoral Minority has some particularly interesting comments on this bombshell. Often his commenters degenerate into banality or cheerleading, but this thread is especially informative:
http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2013/02/pope-benedict-xvi-steps-down.html#comment-form
I suspect that Susie is right — there’s next to no chance for reform here. Maybe they’ll simulate reform by giving the job to a token black man.
But you know, it may be time for an American Pope — after all, the USA is the Vatican’s biggest cash cow. And also time for an unordained one. There’s no ordination requirement. The only requirement is that the Pope be a baptized Catholic. (And presumably, not a woman.)
So here’s my shortlist of worthy candidates:
Newton Leroy Gingrich
Rick Santorum (Google the last name.)
Paul Ryan
Clarence Thomas
Antonin Scalia
John Roberts
Samuel Alito
Bill O’Reilly
Michael Novak (if he’s still alive)
Chris “Corpus” Christie
Did I leave anyone out?
Izquierdo,
How could you possibly forget Bill Donahue?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/10/1185467/-Euthanizing-gay-dogs-for-Jesus
Colin
A – I’m old
B – He’s not firmly on my radar.
I will definitely add O’Donohue to the list that I’m submitting to my pal Nunzio in the Vatican.
General remark:
What we’ve learned so far is just the tip of the iceberg. The last Pope who resigned (abdicated, actually) did so six centuries ago, and he did it so that he could sell his papacy for a few mule-loads of silver to a well-heeled successor.
I suspect that Herr Ratzinger is either being pushed out, or he’s abdicating in advance of some immense embarrassment that’s about to come down on him.
So, now who is Ready, Willing and Papal?
Shadgirl, I see through your sly little game.
You are angling for the prestigious post of Vatican Punner Laureate.
Your first two submissions are excellent, but remember that this is a trilingual position, sister.
Please submit forthwith two more samples each in Latin and in Italian, and I’ll be happy to support your candidacy, even though I’m no longer a roamin’ Catholic.
You say you have nun? Well then, get busy, sister. The cardinal rule is to pontificate in doggerel.