Pope Benedict XVI 'is to resign'

[Martinus]

The Pope is to resign at the end of this month in an entirely unexpected development, reports from the Vatican say.

The 85-year-old became Pope Benedict XVI in April 2005 following the death of Pope John Paul II.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21411304

WTF. 

[jimmy olsen]

Don't they usually die on duty? Maybe he has some kind of health problem that will make him incapable of serving?

[Martinus]

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Benedict will resign on February 28, according to Reuters.

[Martinus]

Don't they usually die on duty? Maybe he has some kind of health problem that will make him incapable of serving?

Yes, and seeing how they are, allegedly, picked by the Holy Ghost himself/herself/itself, resignation is not a normal thing either. It makes the Holy Ghost wrong.

[Syt]

According to Austrian news, the only other pope to ever abdicate was Coelestin I in 1294.

[Syt]

Don't they usually die on duty? Maybe he has some kind of health problem that will make him incapable of serving?

Less capable than JP2 was in the end?

[jimmy olsen]

Don't they usually die on duty? Maybe he has some kind of health problem that will make him incapable of serving?

Less capable than JP2 was in the end?

I thought the part where the T. Rex ran amok in San Diego was the best part of the movie.

[Syt]

Seems his declaration cites old age and his dwindling mental capacity in a fast changing world as reasons for the abdication.

When has that ever kept back a Pope?

[Syt]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/articolo.asp?c=663815

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.

From the Vatican, 10 February 2013

BENEDICTUS PP XVI

[Josquius]

Wow. This is indeed freaky.
Interesting that Lizzie 2 says she won't abdicate since her position is god given but the freaking pope is more than willing to do so....

[Viking]

If it's good enough for the Queen of the Calvinists it is good enough for the Bishop of the Romans. However much I have the unreason of religion the world is better for a non-senile pope.

[Viking]

Wow. This is indeed freaky.
Interesting that Lizzie 2 says she won't abdicate since her position is god given but the freaking pope is more than willing to do so....

Catholicism is not true religion, film at 23.

[Caliga]

Makes me wonder if there's some other reason he's resigning that isn't being shared.

[Liep]

Makes me wonder if there's some other reason he's resigning that isn't being shared.

He wants to go out with a bang.

[Martinus]

Wow. This is indeed freaky.
Interesting that Lizzie 2 says she won't abdicate since her position is god given but the freaking pope is more than willing to do so....

I think Charles may be going now "Moooom, see? The Dutch Queen abdicated. The Pope abdicated. Come on, mooom."