Free Republic

The Italian newspaper “Corriere della Sera” releases several passages from Pope Francis’ autobiographical book entitled "Life. My Story in History," written with Vatican journalist Fabio Marchese Ragona, set to be released on March 19 by HarperCollins. In the passages released on Thursday, the Pope clarified that were he to resign, he would not choose to be called “Pope Emeritus” but simply “Bishop Emeritus of Rome." In that case, he would live in the Basilica of St. Mary Major “to return to being a confessor and bring communion to the sick.” The Pope clarified this possible scenario in case of his...

The health of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has worsened in the last few hours, a Vatican official said on Wednesday. "The situation at the moment remains under control and is constantly followed by doctors," Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni told reporters, adding that he could "confirm that in the last few hours there has been an worsening of his condition due to advancing age."

Resignation and Pope Emeritus, another mess is brewingA new Motu Proprio to regulate the "emeritus papacy", a canonical problem effectively left open by Benedict XVI, is expected soon. What according to his predecessor was to remain an exception, for Francis it would become an institution along with all the problems that this entails because by its very nature only one person can assume the title of “pope.” The proposed hypothesis of retirement at 85 would be a blow to the heart of the Petrine office.After thunder comes rain. For now, we are still only hearing thunder, but the roaring downpour...

When Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013, many wondered what role a retired pope might have in the Church. After the election of Pope Francis, many continued to wonder whether the presence of a retired pope would be a threat in any way to the authority of the new one. Given those concerns, the low-profile role chosen by the pope emeritus has been quite reassuring. Similarly, Francis’ acceptance of his predecessor’s draft of his own first encyclical letter, Lumen Fidei, in June 2013, was more than a gracious gesture of civility. Despite initial apprehensions, these developments can be seen as...

URBANA, Ill. (AP) — The University of Illinois on Thursday denied 1960s radical William Ayers emeritus faculty status after trustees Chairman Christopher Kennedy noted Ayers dedicated a book to, among others, the man who killed Kennedy’s father, Robert F. Kennedy. All nine voting trustees either opposed granting Ayers, a recently retired University of Illinois-Chicago professor, the largely honorary status or abstained from the vote. Universities often grant emeritus status to distinguished retired faculty members. At Illinois it doesn’t come with any monetary benefits, spokesman Tom Hardy said. Ayers co-founded the Weather Underground, an anti-war group held responsible for a series...

February 03, 2006 The Pigskin Parable By Kate Wright The Islamic Caliphate is coming. Their version of the One World (Umma), gilded with Islamic symbols, is ready for prime time. It's going to get very weird. Just remember, Jesus got here first, courtesy of Abraham and Moses, and that's our side. Our side is your side, even if you think it's not. Our side is freedom: religious, civil, and economic. We celebrate Creator—based freedom on the Fourth of July, civil freedom on Veteran's Day, and economic—based freedom on Super Bowl Sunday, our market—created national party day. In fact, on Super...