The Pope resigns

Second Summer

Second Summer

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Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he will resign the papacy because of ill health, according to the Italian news agency ANSA. The decision will send shockwaves through the global Catholic community.

It is extremely rare for a Pope to give up the papacy and is unheard of in modern times. The vast majority serve until they die, even when struck down by ill health. The announcement will trigger an election battle in Rome.
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Pope Benedict XVI announces he will resign because of 'ill health' (The Independent)

I suppose the hunt is on for someone equally ancient, and fervent in their opposition against abortion, gay people and other threats against the family.
 
I would think either something like Alzheimers or some damaging scandal that they're afraid might come out.

Or, as he said in his statement, he recognizes that age is affeccting him both physically and mentally to the point that he cannot carry out his duties as effectively as once. Maybe he's just recognizing that a time to retire comes for everyone, even the Pope.
 
Indian Summer said:
...I suppose the hunt is on for someone equally ancient, and fervent in their opposition against abortion, gay people and other threats against the family.
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The Pope can't change the Catholic religion though, can he? The thing about religions is that they are the word of whatever god is recognized, handed down in some miraculous intervention hundreds of years ago. Even if they found a young person, they wouldn't make him Pope if he approved of abortion and homosexuality. Whoever becomes the next Pope, it's going to have to be more of the same. I don't see the Catholic church going against the word of its god.
 
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I agree - the basic beliefs of the church aren't going to change any time soon.

And while John Paul II was more popular than Benedict (largely because his appearance and manner seemed to make him more approachable), he was every bit as conservative (and IMO, actually more so) than Benedict.
 
When I heard about this in the news, I didn't realise it was such a big deal. I don't know much about the position of Pope though, I didn't realise this was so uncommon. Anyway regardless, it seems to me sensible to step down if illness prevents you from doing your job, more so if you think your job is very important to people.
 
I went to a Catholic high school my freshman year. I think I'm on the short list.
 
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Suggested new popes:

1) Britney Spears.
2) Alanis Morisette. She was even brought up Catholic,
3) Colin Firth. He is a great actor and married to an Italian woman and I think he lives there so he wouldnt have to move far.
4) David Hasselhoff
5) Stephen Hawking. He would make a very philosophical pope.
6) Jackie Chan. He could be a pope who knows karate
7) Whoopi Goldberg.
 
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