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| Europe |
| Pope Benedict to resign at month's end |
| 2013-02-11 |
| Pope Benedict XVI said on Monday he will resign on Feb. 28 because he no longer has the strength to fulfill the duties of his office, becoming the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to take such a step. The 85-year-old pope said he had noticed that his strength had deteriorated over recent months "to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me". "For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter," he said according to a statement from the Vatican. A Vatican spokesman said the pontiff would step down on Feb. 28, leaving the office vacant until a successor is chosen. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #20 And unlike all those liberal opinions I fully support his Regensburg speech which dared to say the truth about Islam. |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2013-02-11 23:51 |
| #19 Benedict is very frail and I'm very sure he did not take this decision lightly. It commands the highest respect that he does not want the Catholic church being paralyzed by a long agony. And yes Canonic Law absolutely allows this. |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2013-02-11 23:47 |
| #18 FREEREPUBLIC > A MESSAGE FROM GOD? LIGHTNING STRIKES VATICAN DOME AFTER POPE BENEDICT RESIGNS. No days off, Benedict??? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2013-02-11 21:55 |
| #17 "I know a few people who could learn from that." And not a damned one of them will, EC. >:-( |
| Posted by: Barbara 2013-02-11 19:12 |
| #16 As a Catholic, this is unsettling for me as this is the first time to see a Pope resign. In my lifetime, POPES PAUL VI, JOHN PAUL 1, + JOHN PAUL II all passed on in See - while I respect Benedict's reasons, I would think his message per having an effective Petrine Ministry for the worldwide Catholic community + Clergy would be better served or illustrated iff he stayed on in See until the end. AFAIK the 12 Apostles never took a day/time off no matter the reason. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2013-02-11 18:26 |
| #15 I'm voting for Dolan as well! :-) |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-02-11 16:59 |
| #14 He never had a chance |
| Posted by: tipper 2013-02-11 16:59 |
| #13 Benedict is older (85) than Blessed John Paul was when he died (84). One of the saddest things in my lifetime was watching JP II deteriorate. Personally, I would love to see Cardinal Dolan of NYC as pope. I know it ain't gonna happen, but it would be cool. |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2013-02-11 16:57 |
| #12 Will he be able to get out of Committee? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2013-02-11 16:48 |
| #11 Tanned, rested, ready...Bernie Law. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2013-02-11 16:43 |
| #10 He hasn't looked healthy in the latest videos I've seen so I was wondering if he would step aside. I think it's a good decision. God doesn't ask us to bear more than we can bear. I thank him for his service and stewardship and I admire him for his steadfastness and the quality of his writing. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2013-02-11 15:49 |
| #9 Relinquishing total power with humility and dignity... I know a few people who could learn from that. |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2013-02-11 14:41 |
| #8 They going to bury him with the other Popes? NO? He could be, since he held the office. But I'll defer to your expertise. It's not clear what, if any, rank he's left with in the church, but the law apparently allows for resignation Official title of the Pope is "Bishop of Rome"; since he was a cardinal, that's likely what he'll be referred as. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2013-02-11 12:29 |
| #7 Will Obama be the next Pope? Another like Urban II? |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2013-02-11 12:16 |
| #6 He's Pope. He's the boss. Infallible, even (if he says so.) If he says he can resign, then he can. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2013-02-11 11:20 |
| #5 Actually, he can, Redneck Jim. It's not clear what, if any, rank he's left with in the church, but the law apparently allows for resignation. |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2013-02-11 11:15 |
| #4 A springtime return to Bavaria. Smart man I'd say. |
| Posted by: besoeker 2013-02-11 10:37 |
| #3 Pope Benedict to resign at month's end They going to bury him with the other Popes? NO? Then he Can't "Resign". |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2013-02-11 10:19 |
| #2 Humility and self-knowledge that the mind and body fails. Godspeed |
| Posted by: Frank G 2013-02-11 10:18 |
| #1 Cardinal Dolan. Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan to the white courtesy phone please. Cardinal Dolan. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-02-11 07:59 |