well they better handle this thing smartly because everybody is used to Popes leaving office feet first when they’re stone cold dead. With all the scandal hitting the Catholic Church, no wonder folks are thinking along conspiracy theory lines.
I’m guessing he’s suffering from the beginnings of dementia, but the Vatican doesn’t want to come out and say it. Too many critics use it to hammer the Pope’s reforms....
From the moment he was elected, Pope Benedict made it clear that he hadn't wanted to be Pope: he said that the announcement was "like a guillotine blade coming down."
Knowing that at his age he'd only have a few years, and knowing all the sotto-voce skulduggery that goes on in any big institution, especially the Roman Curia, I'm betting he has been planning for his successor from Day One back in April 2005.
He's a patient man. He's planned 15 moves ahead, putting the chess pieces in place. Now, announcing RIGHT before Lent, he's basically forcing the Cardinals to wrap it up quick, because none of them wants to be out of their Diocese for the whole Holy Season, and certainly not for Easter.
Plus, with Benedict still being alive, they can each of them come in to consult with him, personally, if they want, about his successor. And he can undermine the plotters (yes, there are plotters, too: people who side with the Enemy.) This careful planning--- I hope --- is the long-term architecture of the thing. I think Benedict's moves are wise, Spirit-guided, brilliant.
Then, Benedict is going to retire to a life of intense prayer in a monastic setting.
Something big coming.
Really big.
People: pray, pray. pray.