Pope Benedict XVI 'to resign'

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I’m crushed to hear the news. I will be praying for him and his successor…
 
VeritasLuxMea said:
LOL. I’m grateful for everyone who is lightening the mood. Some of us need that, today!

Thankfully, we are talking about the Pope’s retirement, not his passing.
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It is one thing to feel sad because a much loved Pope is retiring from the Papal Office. It is, imo, wrong to feel sad in general because God is still in control and He will guide His Church to elect a new Pope.

We have to trust!
 
By all means, let us pray for Benedict, but let’s not allow those prayers to obscure the grave nature of what the pope is doing: his resignation is a mistake.
 
irishpatrick said:
It is one thing to feel sad because a much loved Pope is retiring from the Papal Office. It is, imo, wrong to feel sad in general because God is still in control and He will guide His Church to elect a new Pope.

We have to trust!
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Amen!
 
meltzerboy said:
Abyssinia (and others), do you think Cardinal Dolan might be a contender for the papacy? I know people are talking about an African, Asian, or South American Pope, but Cardinal Dolan has been in the news lately and I don’t believe we’ve had a Pope from the United States, let alone New York City.
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He’s considered a longshot, since he comes from a superpower country.

His wikipedia page doesn’t mention how many languages he speaks - it seems to be a requirement to be multilingual.
 
dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2276884/Pope-Benedict-XVI-resigns-First-Pontiff-600-years-stand-longer-strength-carry-on.html#axzz2KMdzwKzv

I thought in maybe one of the photos, the Pontiff might look a bit pale but that’s no telltale sign.

Again, the Daily Mail seems to be admirable in their coverage, from a past article:
dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1313136/DAILY-MAIL-COMMENT–Pope-gives-Britain-lesson-candour.html#axzz2KMdzwKzv
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DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Pope gives Britain a lesson in candour
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Over the past two days, the crowds have turned out in their hundreds of thousands to greet the Pope and celebrate his presence in Britain.
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In the process, they have delivered an eloquent rebuke to the bilious hatred poured upon the Pontiff by such nauseatingly self-important individuals as Stephen Fry, who have spent the past week demonising the head of one of the world’s great religions.
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If they had hoped to cow the Pope, they could not have been more wrong. For all week he has spoken with extraordinary candour.
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Though of course, some of their articles are a bit racy, it’s like you wouldn’t blame all in the BBC for an article by its news department which has also been accused of having a bias in other areas.
 
I also will miss Benedict. He is one of the best theologians of all time, and continued a tradition of excellent Popes for the last 100 years, including Pius X, Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. I only wish these wonderful Popes could have had a better class of followers. We may have a shortage of priests, but there is no shortage of people who think they know better than the Pope.

This resignation will permit a more orderly transition, but also more time for ignorant media oulets to speculate ad nauseum.:mad:

I am not knowlegable about all the possible successors, but a more media savvy choice could be Cardinal Dolan of New York or Archbishop Chaput of Philadelphia.

I am sure most of you know the only legal requirements for the next Pope is that he be a baptized male. I would also like to publicly state that if elected, I will not accept the position for the good of the Church.:cool:
 
Other_Eric said:
By all means, let us pray for Benedict, but let’s not allow those prayers to obscure the grave nature of what the pope is doing: his resignation is a mistake.
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Excuse me? And you are in a position to ascertain this?
 
Trader said:
I am sure most of you know the only legal requirements for the next Pope is that he be a baptized male. I would also like to publicly state that if elected, I will not accept the position for the good of the Church.:cool:
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:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
 


Christian Population in the world for however this might be interpreted.

The idea of an African Pope responding to some of Obama’s policies is tantalizing though.
 
Other_Eric said:
Because this resignation sets a dangerous precedent for all this pope’s successors and has the all-too-real potential to scandalize the faithful.
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You have no idea why he is resigning. He could have end-stage terminal cancer for all we know. It is within the Pope’s rights to retire when he believes that he can no longer fulfill his duties properly. If it were scandalous or dangerous, it would not be permitted.
 
“Because this resignation sets a dangerous precedent for all this pope’s successors”

I disagree. In fact, it may set an entirely appropriate precedent: step aside when you are no longer physically or mentally capable of of being a wholly effective advocate for Christ and the Church. Think back, before Pope John Paul II, who was the last Pope who became truly frail while in office? Certainly nobody who had to deal with the modern expectations of travel, media, etc. It is a far more demanding job than it used to be, and since modern medicine has lengthened the gap between how long someone remains vigorous and how long they actually live, its quite likely we’ll see more Popes in the future who find their bodies or minds giving out before the other does.

The Papacy is bigger than one man, and is a hugely important role that requires great attention. To remain on the throne when you are incapable does a far greater disservice to the mission.

JPII was a special case, in that his mission was largely associated with the dignity of human life at all stages, in all places, and in whatever condition. He taught the world about suffering, and aging with dignity and grace. Benedict’s mission is different, it seems.
 
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