Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he would resign Feb. 28 — the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.
The 85-year-old pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals on Monday morning.
He emphasized that carrying out the duties of being pope — the leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics worldwide — requires "both strength of mind and body."
"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," he told the cardinals. "I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only by 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 St. Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary — strengths 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."
The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII, who stepped down in 1415 in a deal to end the Great Western Schism among competing papal claimants.
Benedict called his choice "a decision of great importance for the life of the church."
The move sets the stage for the Vatican to hold a conclave to elect a new pope by mid-March, since the traditional mourning time that would follow the death of a pope doesn't have to be observed.
There are several papal contenders in the wings, but no obvious front-runner — the same situation when Benedict was elected pontiff in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II.
.... I didn't even know he could do that!
"it takes two sides to end a war but only one to start one. And those who do not have swords may still die upon them." Tolken
The Code of Canon Law 332 §2 states, "If it happens that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that the resignation is made freely and properly manifested but not that it is accepted by anyone."
So, there is precedent, but 600 years of Popes dying in office rather sets a Tradition, which is weightier than any mere Law.
Dogs are Man's Best Friend
Cats are Man's Adorable Little Serial Killers
LadyTevar wrote:The Code of Canon Law 332 §2 states, "If it happens that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that the resignation is made freely and properly manifested but not that it is accepted by anyone."
So, there is precedent, but 600 years of Popes dying in office rather sets a Tradition, which is weightier than any mere Law.
Apparently not. I'll give Benny a little credit for recognizing that it was time.
Gaze upon my works, ye mighty, and despair...
Havoc: "So basically if you side against him, he summons Cthulu."
Hotfoot: "Yes, which is reasonable."
TheSun.co.uk wrote:The Vatican's holiest church was hit with the high-powered bolt just hours after the Pope resigned.
Rome was lit up as a powerful electric storm passed through the city and cameras caught the moment a ferocious bolt zig-zagged through the night sky before striking the roof of the famous basilica.
The 500-year-old church is one of the most important holy buildings in the Vatican and hosts many Papal ceremonies.
Benedict - real name Joseph Ratzinger - claimed he was too frail to carry on in the role.
His successor will be elected next month by 120 Catholic cardinals.
hmmm...the Pop resigns, and a lighting bolt hits one of the holiest church at the Vatican?
Sweet.
Allen Thibodaux | Archmagus | Supervillain | Transfan | Trekker | Warsie |
"Then again, Detective....how often have you dreamed of hearing your father's voice once more? Of feeling your mother's touch?" - Ra's Al Ghul
"According to the Bible, IHVH created the Universe in six days....he obviously didn't know what he was doing." - Darek Steele bani Order of Hermes.
DS's Golden Rule: I am not a bigot, I hate everyone equally. | corollary: Some are more equal than others.
As Omen's go... It's still rather hard to read. See if Benny had been struck by lighting then yeah sure easy read. But lightening striking a building and doing no damage?
I'm gonna have to break out the standard Protestant stance.
"it takes two sides to end a war but only one to start one. And those who do not have swords may still die upon them." Tolken
By the way, I'm been assembling my projected cabinet. Frigid can totally handle a halberd and run my guards, Cyncat will take over the Jesuits and show 'em how it's done, Tev can take over the priesthood and get them broke in on all the new priestesses that will be entering the ranks, Scottie's on my tech and holy cyberwarfare department, Allen will be QC on my resurrected Vestal Virgin Corps(VVC).
That's what I have for the moment, but jobs are still open out there.
I didn't even know he could do that!
