Posted on 02/11/2013 3:11:37 AM PST by Sub-Driver
Pope Benedict XVI 'is to resign' Breaking news
The Pope is to resign at the end of this month in an entirely unexpected development, reports from the Vatican say.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
That was my first thought as soon as I heard the announcement.
First Pope to resign the office in 600 years, from what I’ve read.
That’s the first one in anyone’s lifetime. Unless you’re of the MacLeod clan.
“Dam! I really was hoping the end of the world as we know it wasn’t coming this year...”
If you look at it as the beginning of the new world rather than the end of the current one it isn’t as frightening.
Yep...just went a googling.
So...now we wait to see if Saint Hildegard and the comet are true... http://earthsky.org/space/asteroid-2012-da14-will-pass-very-close-to-earth-in-2013
If true, that was Gregory XII who was one of three popes. He resigned essentially so there could be one pope. (so sayeth google)
“Unless you’re of the MacLeod clan”
There can be only one!
Arrogance and atheism are made for each other.
Maybe he wants to make sure he gets a decent successor.
Former Popes usually join monasteries.
No. Not at all. Just the opposite. I think he wants to avoid a repeat of what happened with JP2. I adore Pope Benedict, and I’m sad to see him resign, but I have to believe that he has prayerfully asked for guidance from the Holy Spirit.
LOL.
Popes with swords! Run for the hills!!
Three days of darkness, the chastisement, etc.
But that means the great Monarch has already happened (if I remember right). Who would that be?
Edward Caycey named all the Popes in order up through John Paul. He then indicated one more (and last) Pope after that.
His brother in a statement confirms the Pope’s bad health as the reason, saying “Das Alter drückt”, i.e. that the pressure of his age has caught up with him.
Of course one can speculate: Is it cancer? Does he know / feel that he will die soon? Or has it just been opportune timing to best position the successor he has in mind?
Many expected JPII to resign because of health and there were sound reasons to do so (with all the insecurity a moribund Pope causes for the leadership of the church). He chose not to do so in order to set an example. Ratzinger was a close ally of JPII and his role was crucial during the time of JPII’s illness. I think both decisions deserve respect. Albeit for different reasons (to show that illness and death is a natural part of live - vs. - to show that the office and the church are bigger than any one men).
The last pope to resign was Gregory XII in 1415.
Pope resigns - news at XI
“Amen I say to you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and went where you wished. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and another will dress you, and lead you where you do not want to go.” (John 21:18)
I’m not a Catholic, but I agree.
Benedict was a conservative, and good for pro-life Catholics.
“So...now we wait to see if Saint Hildegard and the comet are true...”
Can you fill in some details for us Protestants?
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