Pope Benedict in shock resignation!

[karl]

Pope Benedict XVI is to stand down as leader of the Catholic church, he announced today.
In a decision that has shocked even his closest aides, the 85-year-old Pontiff said his health was 'no longer adequate to continue in office due to his advanced age'.
He announced his resignation in Latin to a meeting of Vatican cardinals this morning, emphasising that leading more than a billion Roman Catholics worldwide requires 'both strength of mind and body.'
The Pope's decision is unprecedented. He is the first to resign since Gregory XII in 1415, but no Pontiff in history has stepped down on health grounds.
Although officials said there had been no pressure for him to resign, the internet is already awash with speculation that there was a more sinister reason behind his decision.


Full story here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2276884/Pope-Benedict-XVI-resigns-First-Pontiff-600-years-stand-longer-strength-carry-on.html#ixzz2KbKGxq4V

[Sugaree]

Placing bets that the next Pope is a Pius or John.

[TheSirensAreCalling]

i wonder if it's to spend more time with the kids XD

[somegirl]

i wonder if it's to spend more time with the kids XD

Possibly, but he's going to have a shortage of alter boys now.

Parents, lock up the boys. :eek:

[Foamy]

Well that's a shock. But... Who really cares?

[NeuroTiger]

It's his decision; we have to respect it and accept it.

[World Eater]

Placing bets that the next Pope is a Pius or John.

Yeah, let me get in on that action.

I thought the Pope held his title until he died. Unless someone can educate me on this?

Edit: Whoops, nevermind...

[Skyline]

Good! His views are definitely out dated... But hey, it doesnt really affect me

[Sugaree]

Well that's a shock. But... Who really cares?

Considering this will be the first time in the Church's history that it may not have a sitting Pope at Easter, it's pretty historically significant that he's stepping down.

[karl]

A signal from above? Lightning hits St Peter's hours after Pope Benedict stuns cardinals with first resignation in 600 years

See photo here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2276884/Pope-Benedict-XVI-resigns-First-Pontiff-600-years-stand-longer-strength-carry-on.html#ixzz2KdC5LXSa

[Plane And Simple]

0o No words. I dont believe in coincidences but that's worth taking a look at

[Smeagol]

I'm sort of sad. Although I'm pagan, I liked the Pope.

[Sugaree]

I'm sort of sad. Although I'm pagan, I liked the Pope.

He made the Church go back to pre-Vatican II practices. What's to like about that?

[unknownuser]

I understand how uncommon it is for a Pope to resign, but God bless him for hanging in there, because 85 is not young- thinking about three family members that have passed away in recent years that were in their late 70s/early 80s and were confined to their beds for their last years... It definitely was not an easy job, especially for someone of that age.

[Apollo.]

This went down well where I live, all my facebook news feed has been plastered in jokes. Saying that I live in a town that everyone is Protestant. As for me I just think it's good to have one less kiddie fiddler in the catholic church.

The lightening thing is pretty awesome though!!

[Lost in the Echo]

Damn, that is shocking. Kinda sad too.
I wish him the best.

[Dooby the potato god]

A signal from above? Lightning hits St Peter's hours after Pope Benedict stuns cardinals with first resignation in 600 years

See photo here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2276884/Pope-Benedict-XVI-resigns-First-Pontiff-600-years-stand-longer-strength-carry-on.html#ixzz2KdC5LXSa

That kinda creeps me out...

[Sonic Boom]

As for me I just think it's good to have one less kiddie fiddler in the catholic church.

The lightening thing is pretty awesome though!!

I doubt he was a child-molester (but correct me if I'm wrong). But yes, the lightning seems phenomenal!

[Smeagol]

He made the Church go back to pre-Vatican II practices. What's to like about that?

I liked his peace campaign where he met with other world spiritual leaders. I dunno, I thought he looked like a kindly old gent. Apparently more research is in order.

[Sugaree]

I liked his peace campaign where he met with other world spiritual leaders. I dunno, I thought he looked like a kindly old gent. Apparently more research is in order.

He abandoned John Paul II's mission to get the youth back into the Church. On top of that, he made the Church a much more inclusive institution as opposed to what it was under JP2.

[IAMWILL]

I think its a pretty brave decision, watching JP2 in the last few months of his life was pretty painful. I wouldn't be surprised to hear he was diagnosed with something.

I'm calling the lightning thing bullshit, could've easily been photoshopped. It is a pretty tall building though so maybe it did happen.

Also, don't expect any change in church teaching with the next pope, almost no teachings have changed in the last 2000 years. They're based on the Natural law and logic, so they aren't matters of opinion.