[Milton Miteybad]

I want to know the exact details of how and WHY Ratzinger went away so mysteriously.

It was far from mysterious. In fact, there was no mystery whatsoever. Pope Benedict voluntarily retired due to mental and physical decline associated with his advanced age. At the time of his retirement, he was the fourth-oldest Pope to hold the office, at the age of 85 years, 318 days. His cardiovascular issues had been known since 2005 by the College of Cardianals, but were not widely known outside that circle.

In retiring from the Papacy, Pope Benedict did what he thought best for himself and the Church. There is no prohibition against a sitting Pope resigning or retiring. He was perfectly within his rights to resign if he so wished.

And now you know. We are happy to have been able to clear away the intellectual fog for you.

[NorthMountain]

Well ... that cute little fable is the official story.

You can believe as much of it as you like.