Pope Benedict XVI will formally relinquish his leadership of the Roman Catholic Church on February 28 – becoming the first pontiff to resign his office in nearly 600 years.
“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,” the 85-year-old pontiff told cardinals this week. “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.”
Benedict’s resignation means a papal conclave will be convened immediately in the hopes of electing his successor prior to Easter. In fact the Vatican declared as much in an official statement.
While not unprecedented, Benedict’s resignation is unheard of in the modern age. In fact the last time a pope resigned the printing press had yet to be invented.
What other popes have stepped down? Well, Pope Celestine V resigned in 1294 – shortly after issuing an edict legalizing papal resignation. Meanwhile Pope Gregory XII resigned in 1415 to put an end to a Papal Schism.
It hasn’t happened since, though …
Benedict, a German, became Pope in 2005 following the death of the immensely popular John Paul II – who reigned for nearly thirty years and traveled the world on behalf of the church. Given his advanced years Benedict was more of a “stay-at-home” Pope – and his declining health limited him to just a pair of visits abroad in 2012.
Catholics view the Pope as the apostolic successor of Saint Peter, the rock upon which Jesus Christ built his church. He is said to have a “direct line” to the Almighty – meaning his pronouncements are held as the divinely inspired will of God.
According to the 2012 Annuario Pontifico, there were 1.196 billion Catholics worldwide in 2010 – the latest year for which data is available. That’s roughly 17 percent of the world’s population. In America there are approximately 75 million Catholics – which equals roughly one out of every four United States citizens.
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48 comments
Perhaps God forced him to submit his resignation?
Perhaps God forced him to submit his resignation?
On a related note, we can downvote posts now. Oh boy. That’s totally not going to result in dissenting views being buried.
BigT sighting in 3…2…1…
You think BigT will sign in with his FB log?
On a related note, we can downvote posts now. Oh boy. That’s totally not going to result in dissenting views being buried.
BigT sighting in 3…2…1…
You think BigT will sign in with his FB log?
Does he get to keep his ring. Do people have to kiss it? Does he get a pension?
No, no and yes. After a “vacation” at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s “summer home” he will move to a cloistered monastery.
Does he get to keep his ring. Do people have to kiss it? Does he get a pension?
No, no and yes. After a “vacation” at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s “summer home” he will move to a cloistered monastery.
Why is “Where The Boys Are” stuck in my head?
Why is “Where The Boys Are” stuck in my head?
Shouldn’t that be billion?
Shouldn’t that be billion?
Will they select a gay or lesbian for the next pope? You know, just to be in tune with the modern world?
Will they select a gay or lesbian for the next pope? You know, just to be in tune with the modern world?
This crowd needs to let their priests marry. Next they need to sell all that gold and art and give the proceeds to the poor. They need to accept gays (since their own ranks are filled with them). They need to become more genuine and humble and tolerant. I do hope lawyers will sue the Pope personally for crimes and offenses of pedophilia once he becomes a private citizen.
This crowd needs to let their priests marry. Next they need to sell all that gold and art and give the proceeds to the poor. They need to accept gays (since their own ranks are filled with them). They need to become more genuine and humble and tolerant. I do hope lawyers will sue the Pope personally for crimes and offenses of pedophilia once he becomes a private citizen.
I didn’t know covering for pedophiles was a health issue. Does BCBS cover that?
I didn’t know covering for pedophiles was a health issue. Does BCBS cover that?
“1.196 million Catholics worldwide”
“In America there are approximately 75 million Catholics”
So the editing on the new site is still shit…
“1.196 million Catholics worldwide”
“In America there are approximately 75 million Catholics”
So the editing on the new site is still shit…
Why is all the Popes have one foot in the grave when they are selected?
Why is all the Popes have one foot in the grave when they are selected?
Fire your editor: “…there were 1.196 million Catholics worldwide in 2010 – the latest year for which data is available. That’s roughly 17 percent of the world’s population. In America there are approximately 75 million Catholics – which equals roughly one out of every four United States citizens.”
I think the Annuario Pontifico said there were 1.196 Billion Catholics worldwide.
Aww, never mind, in the spirit of pontifical forgiveness don’t fire your editor. Big T probably wouldn’t be able to find another job in this economy.
Oh, The Colonel has changed his name to sync his smart ass commenting on multiple sites.
Fire your editor: “…there were 1.196 million Catholics worldwide in 2010 – the latest year for which data is available. That’s roughly 17 percent of the world’s population. In America there are approximately 75 million Catholics – which equals roughly one out of every four United States citizens.”
I think the Annuario Pontifico said there were 1.196 Billion Catholics worldwide.
Aww, never mind, in the spirit of pontifical forgiveness don’t fire your editor. Big T probably wouldn’t be able to find another job in this economy.
Oh, The Colonel has changed his name to sync his smart ass commenting on multiple sites.
Looks like he’s lurching at a band of young boys.
Looks like he’s lurching at a band of young boys.
Looks like he’s lurching at a band of young boys.
Looks like he’s lurching at a band of young boys.
Must have downvote….NOW!
Must have downvote….NOW!
Google “Did Will Folks Really Poke SC Governor Nikki Haley?”
See Shocking Video Result!
Google “Did Will Folks Really Poke SC Governor Nikki Haley?”
See Shocking Video Result!
I think your math is off on the number of Catholics worldwide. a billion?
I think your math is off on the number of Catholics worldwide. a billion?
Sources say the Pope has bought a john boat and he is going to retire to a small Swiss chalet and take up fishing with a lady friend. The lady friend is an ex nun and said she just wanted to change her habit. She says she gave “Bennie” a nice styrofoam minnow bucket for Xmas. I wish them well.
Sources say the Pope has bought a john boat and he is going to retire to a small Swiss chalet and take up fishing with a lady friend. The lady friend is an ex nun and said she just wanted to change her habit. She says she gave “Bennie” a nice styrofoam minnow bucket for Xmas. I wish them well.
Pope’s Decision to Come Out of Retirement Stirs Controversy
VATICAN (The Borowitz Report) — Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world for the second time in twenty-four hours today by announcing his decision to come out of retirement.
“I thought I was getting too old for this,” the Pope explained via his Twitter account, “but I’ve still got plenty left in the tank.”
The Pope’s abrupt unretirement left many fans wondering if his original decision was little more than a publicity stunt, but according to one Vatican source, “The situation was a lot more complicated than people know.”
“The Vatican doesn’t make resigning your job as Pope an easy thing to do,” the source said. “In his exit interview, they told him he would have to agree not to sign with another organized religion for three years. Plus, he was going to have to give his 1.5 million Twitter followers back to the Church. The Twitter thing was the deal-breaker.”
For his part, the newly unretired Pope took to his Twitter feed to announce his return in a nonchalant way: “So it turns out I’m not infallible. #FTW.”
Pope’s Decision to Come Out of Retirement Stirs Controversy
VATICAN (The Borowitz Report) — Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world for the second time in twenty-four hours today by announcing his decision to come out of retirement.
“I thought I was getting too old for this,” the Pope explained via his Twitter account, “but I’ve still got plenty left in the tank.”
The Pope’s abrupt unretirement left many fans wondering if his original decision was little more than a publicity stunt, but according to one Vatican source, “The situation was a lot more complicated than people know.”
“The Vatican doesn’t make resigning your job as Pope an easy thing to do,” the source said. “In his exit interview, they told him he would have to agree not to sign with another organized religion for three years. Plus, he was going to have to give his 1.5 million Twitter followers back to the Church. The Twitter thing was the deal-breaker.”
For his part, the newly unretired Pope took to his Twitter feed to announce his return in a nonchalant way: “So it turns out I’m not infallible. #FTW.”
Think the Pontiff may have got caught with his hands in the cookie jar….or whatever else you can think of. GreenvilleLwyr ‘s comment is right on target!
Think the Pontiff may have got caught with his hands in the cookie jar….or whatever else you can think of. GreenvilleLwyr ‘s comment is right on target!
Looks like a black man is getting the white pope’s sloppy seconds. History repeating itself.
Looks like a black man is getting the white pope’s sloppy seconds. History repeating itself.
I’ve dated several nuns and they were fun to be with except for one irritating thing.
I’ve dated several nuns and they were fun to be with except for one irritating thing.