Pope Benedict XVI to resign Feburary 28

[Dlbdonn]

Just announced by the Vatican . First Pope to resign in over 600 years . Thoughts ? Health Problems ?

[hoops5]

Wow! Is he ill?

[bugatti]

Set to resign on February 28. His poor health is cited as the reason for the 85 year old to step down from his post. First resignation since the Middle Ages.

[bugatti]

Talk about a big thing to give up for Lent.

[2 Humped Camel]

I'm not Catholic so I don't know the answer to this question, do they have to do the whole white smoke, black smoke thing 24/7 on every network again or can this Pope just name a successor since he's still alive?

[bugatti]

They still do the smoke thing via the conclave.

[Bluto]

Here are my brackets from 2005.

 

Pope Bracket | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

First Pope to abdicate willingly since Pope Celestine V in 1294. Not a lot of precedent to govern the situation, but I'd have to agree with bugatti that the new Pope will be chosen via election of the Papal Enclave.

 

Pope Benedict stepping down, cites poor health | Reuters

The pope told the cardinals that in order to govern "...both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me 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."

[BlueKrush]

Already rumors about Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden getting the job.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Here is a pretty good summary of Pope Benedict's reign as The Pontiff.

 

Pope Benedict XVI tried to awaken faith but papacy clouded by sex abuse scandal | Fox News

[Bert]

There will be a conclave for the cardinals to elect the next pope probably in March. It will be odd having the new and former pope alive at the same time. Saying that, I say this with respect, I can't see Benedict XVI living much longer, he is really wearing down, similar to John Paul II in his last six to twelve months. The difference is, those around John Paul II said his mind was just as strong as it was when he assumed the papacy, just his body was weakening. Benedict XVI on the other hand it sounds like is mentally exhausted by the afternoons and is having trouble reading breifs and being fresh in meetings.

 

I wonder if after resigning if he keeps the title pope? I am guessing not but I do not know.

[mcpapa]

Pope Benedict Emeritus?

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

There will be a conclave for the cardinals to elect the next pope probably in March. It will be odd having the new and former pope alive at the same time. Saying that, I say this with respect, I can't see Benedict XVI living much longer, he is really wearing down, similar to John Paul II in his last six to twelve months. The difference is, those around John Paul II said his mind was just as strong as it was when he assumed the papacy, just his body was weakening. Benedict XVI on the other hand it sounds like is mentally exhausted by the afternoons and is having trouble reading breifs and being fresh in meetings.

 

I wonder if after resigning if he keeps the title pope? I am guessing not but I do not know.

 

I don't know about that. The Pope is officially the Bishop of Rome. The title of Bishop is never properly removed once a Bishop retires....they only become the "Bishop Retired".

 

Additionally, when a Pope dies and a new Pope is elected, the Catholic Church doesn't stop calling the deceased Pope a Pope, even though a new Pope has officially assumed the role. I would guess that the title would remain, but the Church will take some kind of official step to establish, clearly, that the successor has taken over all responsibility of the papacy, and that the retired Pontiff has completely resigned those responsibilities.

[Birdsfan]

I don't know about that. The Pope is officially the Bishop of Rome. The title of Bishop is never properly removed once a Bishop retires....they only become the "Bishop Retired".

 

Additionally, when a Pope dies and a new Pope is elected, the Catholic Church doesn't stop calling the deceased Pope a Pope, even though a new Pope has officially assumed the role. I would guess that the title would remain, but the Church will take some kind of official step to establish, clearly, that the successor has taken over all responsibility of the papacy, and that the retired Pontiff has completely resigned those responsibilities.

They were just discussing this issue in the live roundtable discussion on EWTN. They said he would still be addressed as "Your Holiness" and still (they think) be called "Pope Benedict XVI." However, his Papal ring will be destroyed, so that it could never be worn by anyone else.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Dear Brothers,

 

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church.

 

After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me 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, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

 

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

 

BENEDICTUS PP XVI