Pope to resign

[oragator1]

Just got a text alert, no details yet...

[g8trjax]

First one since the 1400's. Failing health I guess.

[MastaG8r]

It's true.

Pope to resign Feb. 28, says he's too infirm

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he would resign on Feb. 28 because he was simply too infirm to carry on - the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.

The 85-year-old pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals on Monday morning.

He emphasized that carrying out the duties of being pope - the leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics worldwide - requires "both strength of mind and body."

"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," he told the cardinals. "I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only by words and deeds but no less with prayer and suffering.

"However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of St. Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary - strengths which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me."

This conservative Catholic hopes the new Pope will be open to the idea of ending the celibacy requirement for priests and allowing them to marry. It is necessary for the salvation of the Church.

[rivergator]

Originally Posted by g8trjax

First one since the 1400's. Failing health I guess.

I don't follow popes much, but I still find that really surprising. They're supposed to stay there until they die?

[tegator80]

Originally Posted by MastaG8r

It's true.

This conservative Catholic hopes the new Pope will be open to the idea of ending the celibacy requirement for priests and allowing them to marry. It is necessary for the salvation of the Church.

I'm not Catholic but my guess is that the biggest push is going to be for one from Central/South America. That seems to be the place of the most stability in the ranks.

[cocodrilo]

He's resigning so that the next pope can make him a saint before he dies. (Sort of like getting to be president on condition that you pardon your predecessor.)

[MichiGator2002]

Originally Posted by MastaG8r

It's true.

This conservative Catholic hopes the new Pope will be open to the idea of ending the celibacy requirement for priests and allowing them to marry. It is necessary for the salvation of the Church.

The Pope and CDF are just the messenger on such things. I do wonder what sort of Pope we will be given. I wondered last time if it might be one of the Chinese cardinals. I don't think there will be an American, and I almost hope their isn't.

[cocodrilo]

Whoever the new pope will be, I hope he doesn't try to look into Vatican bank corruption.

[MastaG8r]

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

The Pope and CDF are just the messenger on such things.

Yeah I know but among people in general, some are more susceptible than others to receiving enlightenment on certain subjects.

[g8trjax]

Originally Posted by rivergator

I don't follow popes much, but I still find that really surprising. They're supposed to stay there until they die?

Yes, typically that's the case.

[thedyc09]

Will the next one have had a direct hand in covering up pedophiles also?

[Dreamliner]

He can't afford Obama's taxes.

[oaklandroadie]

When will the media begin their push for a transgender Pope?

[MichiGator2002]

Originally Posted by g8trjax

Yes, typically that's the case.

They aren't "supposed" to do anything. It's a life term, but not a life obligation. His resignation is all within canon law. It just happens that the Pope almost always does stay on until he dies. I think Benedict may be doing this so that there is a more deliberate process, more time for Cardinals to think and pray on what they will be faced with. It is a pivotal moment for the Church and its mission, the next Pope, if younger, may lead the Church for a generation or more, and perhaps it is with an eye toward that that Benedict makes this rare move.

[Lawdog88]

Ending celibacy and passing the cup would do a lot to revive the tradition.

[gatorman_07732]

This was to be expected that he was just going very short term

[corpgator]

Good riddance.

[mocgator]

Originally Posted by corpgator

Good riddance.

Ahhh the soothing sounds of hope, change, and compassion.....

[corpgator]

Originally Posted by mocgator

Ahhh the soothing sounds of hope, change, and compassion.....

If you're not familiar with what he did before and after becoming pope, read this.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_a...src=most_viral

He's directly responsible for making sure priests were not prosecuted for raping thousands of children. But hey, have all the compassed you want for child rapists, they deserve it.

[GatorAvatar]

Originally Posted by thedyc09

Will the next one have had a direct hand in covering up pedophiles also?

All of them are stinking pedophile-enablers.