Pope Benedict XVI 'to resign'

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I guess the stress of the office was just too much for him to take. He WAS having health issues before he became pope. I guess it’s amazing he lasted as long as he did.
 
JMJSHJ said:
According to the prophecies of St. Malachy, it would mean that the next Pope would be the last one that he prophesied about. Things are happening in the world.
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I think this (the general issue of where the world is headed) has something to do with his resignation. The Church is under attack like I have never seen in my lifetime. The amount of hatred and vitriol, as well as, I believe, pressures within the church require that someone with a lot of stamina and strength of conviction hold the position. He is probably exhausted. I am so sad to see him resign. I am not even Catholic yet, but I have developed such an affection for the Holy Father in the past few months. I truly believe he has the best interests of the Church at heart, and I think that this way, he can hold some sway over the election of the next Pope - one who is young, strong, and and firmly conservative. I honestly believe that this is why he is stepping down now, so that he can oversee the ushering in of the next Pope.

Just to clarify - I don’t necessarily believe in the prophesy of St. Malachy, but I do believe that the Church is at a very sensitive time in its history and the Holy Father understands that and wants to make sure that she is entrusted to the right successor.
 
What???!!! Pappa Benny is Retiring!! :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

awwwhhhh :(😦

Lets pray that our Future Holy Father will be just as good! 🙂
 
Who knows if this Cardinal would be a real favorite? I’d like to see a list of candidates:
Ghana’s Turkson Favorite to Be Next Pope After Benedict Resigns
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Read Latest Breaking News from Newsmax.com newsmax.com/Headline/turkson-ghana-pope-resigns/2013/02/11/id/489738#ixzz2KatgNnOd
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Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson is the favorite to become pope after Benedict XVI resigns at the end of the month, according to Paddy Power Plc.
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Turkson, 64, is at of odds of 9-4, meaning a successful 4- euro ($5.35) bet would win a 9-euro profit, the Dublin-based bookmaker said today. Canada’s Marc Ouellet, 68, is second favorite at 5-2, followed by Nigeria’s Francis Arinze, 80, who is at 3-1.
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The Cardinal is very youthful:

http://info.catho.be/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Turkson_cardinal.jpg
 
james_neville said:
The pope is resigning due to ill health (according to what i have read) so my prayers go out to him for his health and for thanks for leading the biggest church in the World!

Just out of curiosity and for discussion sake,

Who do you think the next pope will be?
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I’m hoping that it’ll be Schonborn.
 
What???!!! Pappa Benny is Retiring!! :eek::eek::eek:

awwwhhhh :(😦

Lets pray that our Future Holy Father will be just as good! 🙂
 
As far as Cardinal Arinze, he’s no longer eligible to VOTE for pope. However, he can be ELECTED to succeed as pope.
+JMJ+
 
I’m just wondering…obviously he feels he’s not strong enough to continue, and although it was very courageous for John Paul to continue in his ill condition, I’m wondering how he feels about the leadership directly under him. I would think that the Cardinal under him would be making decisions when he is not able to. Possibly, he wants to avoid that? Think of it this way…possibly he will have some pull as to who to put in his place? Am I all wet here?

I don’t know…guess it shows how much I know about succession of the Papacy and what goes on when a Pope resigns. (or retires which ever term is appropriate)😊
 
As I recall there was some concern about his age and health was he rose to the papacy. I certainly hope that his successor can continue to bring order out of chaos. We need a young and dynamic leader who is willing to lead by example and continue to work to uplift the laity.

Old age always brings with it certain infirmities but I do hope that the Pope Benedict will be treated and respected as a respected elder statesman of the church and will continue to do more writing, especially is his area of expertise. Just because he is stepping down due to the infirmities of age he should be treated with respect like any retired priest.
 
DAML72 said:
I think this (the general issue of where the world is headed) has something to do with his resignation. The Church is under attack like I have never seen in my lifetime. The amount of hatred and vitriol, as well as, I believe, pressures within the church require that someone with a lot of stamina and strength of conviction hold the position. He is probably exhausted. I am so sad to see him resign. I am not even Catholic yet, but I have developed such an affection for the Holy Father in the past few months. I truly believe he has the best interests of the Church at heart, and I think that this way, he can hold some sway over the election of the next Pope - one who is young, strong, and and firmly conservative. I honestly believe that this is why he is stepping down now, so that he can oversee the ushering in of the next Pope.

Just to clarify - I don’t necessarily believe in the prophesy of St. Malachy, but I do believe that the Church is at a very sensitive time in its history and the Holy Father understands that and wants to make sure that she is entrusted to the right successor.
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These are my thoughts EXACTLY! Personally, I think you are right on the money!
 
Notker23 said:
I wonder how soon conclave will begin? There’s no 9 days mourning or funeral mass to prevent a quick start to conclave, although it will obviously require preparation and such.

And I do realize that this is a very serious topic, but while thinking about the conclave timeline, I couldn’t help find it slightly humorous that the pope effectively put in his two week notice today. How very practical and German of him.
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Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing, “At least he put in a 2 week notice” (I think that’s a general retirement/resignation rule for any workplace, too). I think a 2-week notice is enough for all of the cardinals to gather for a conclave.

I’m guessing/hoping it’ll be someone much younger (maybe even 40s? Are there any young cardinals?), since frequent travel seems to be a modern “requirement” (i.e., a pastoral event in the Philippines, then to Brazil the next week, then Spain, and back in Italy)
 
bpcatholic said:
I want to cry! :sad_bye:
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Ditto. What a sad day. It is an interesting contrast between the infirmity of Bl. John Paul and this decision by Pope Benedict. Both pontiffs made a hard call under the charism of the office and I have no doubt both decisions will prove a blessing to the Church in different ways.
 
Teelynn said:
I (as some of us) am actually shaking! This was SO VERY UNEXPECTED at least to me. And he is stepping down February 28th? Wow, that only gives us a few WEEKS!:eek:
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I am shaking too. I’m not even Catholic (yet, but very soon shall be), but I love Pope Benedict. I admire him deeply.
 
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