Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by B. J. Flavin on February 11, 2013 at 9:39am

Didn't see that one coming. Benedict has accomplished a lot during his tenure. It will be sad to see him leave the post.

Permalink Reply by Native Son on February 11, 2013 at 9:53am

Could simply be that His Holiness intends to do what he planned before his election, namely retire to Bavaria. 

Permalink Reply by Nathan DeParis on February 11, 2013 at 10:14am

I thought when he came into his pontificate that he had health issues before. He came to be pope in a world where he had a lot of uphill battles. Especially to always be discerning basically would take a toll on ones health. I really hope that the next pope will be as good as he is. You think Dolan would be pope. I think it would be one heck of a statement.

Permalink Reply by B. J. Flavin on February 11, 2013 at 11:31am

I'd like to see Burke. The Church in Europe is all but lost, perhaps an American pope would help revive it here.

Permalink Reply by Will on February 11, 2013 at 11:44am

I'm stunned, too, but he knows his health better than I.  He'll be missed.  (Or maybe not.  Maybe he'll keep writing.)

Permalink Reply by StaggerLee on February 11, 2013 at 11:57am

i wasn't all that shocked to be honest. I have thought for a while now that he is getting on a bit.

He has always been a brilliant man and encouraged all to act logically and rationally. If he has determined, after due consideration, that stepping down was the intelligent thing to do the action of doing so would come as naturally as breathing to him.

But to let reason so outweigh vanity, now that is what I find remarkable and will take as an example to follow in my life.

Permalink Reply by Tim on February 11, 2013 at 1:26pm

+1

Permalink Reply by Nathan DeParis on February 11, 2013 at 9:31pm

I think that is a really good point I heard that point being brought up by Cardinal Whuerl. It is a very humble thing to do when you think about it, to be able to think at that level and being responsible for trying to shepherd 1.2 billion people. It shows a lot of about him and how he really lives the Faith.

Permalink Reply by Tim on February 11, 2013 at 9:45pm

Cardinal Wuerl was great on WTOP Radion this morning in Washington. My favorite line was when someone asked who the odds-on favorite to succeed Benefit. His reply was not to listen to oddsmakers, because based on past history, "the man who enters the conclave the pope exits a cardinal."

 

Permalink Reply by JonEdanger on February 11, 2013 at 12:24pm

Does he get to keep the hat?

Permalink Reply by Tim on February 11, 2013 at 9:51pm

Doesn't look like it LOL. He won't even get to be a cardinal unless his successor says it's OK. http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2013/02/p...

Permalink Reply by Tim on February 11, 2013 at 1:26pm

I'm shocked too, but the man has worked so hard and followed an unbelievable legacy to create his own. My prayers are with him and the upcoming conclave.

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