Pope Benedict to resign

[staropeace]

If the next pope is the Canadian, he is gonna do away with that tall hat and wear a toque instead.

[GNTLGNT]

Are women going to have to start wearing chastity belts again? Because in my past life regression my belt got really uncomfortable during my chakra realignment.

...I hate when my Yoni bunches up....

[Tim D.]

So, I guess after he resigns he'll forever be known as ex-Benedict?

Sorry. I had to do it.

[Patricia A]

Maybe he's just too pooped to pontificate.

[kingricefan]

I'd thought it was a joke when I first saw a mention of this on Facebook, but apparently it's true. This is the first time in 600 years that a pope has resigned. It will be interesting to see if his replacement will be more willing to bring about any changes to the church's doctrine, e.g. the role of women in the church, birth control, etc.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/11/world/...ion/index.html

Marsha- I'd apply for the position but I just don't think I'd make it all the way thru the interview!!

[Sepia and Dust]

Will the Pope have any input in his successor (ie:suggesting someone, casting a vote, etc.)?

That's unknown at the moment. The Pope is a Cardinal, but he's over eighty, and--in the event of the Pope's death--all Cardinals below the age of eighty vote for a new Pope. This Pope, however, hasn't died. The question of whether the current Pope will be among the electors has yet to be settled.

My guess is that no, he won't be allowed to vote, and neither will the other Cardinals who are over eighty. He does have tremendous influence, though, and if he chooses to back one particular person, then many of the voting Cardinals may be swayed.

[MrsSmeej]

Benedict the 16th is retiring as Pope;
Says his health and age have left him unable to cope
With the many duties of the earthly voice of God...
Laying down his crozier (it's that long and gilded rod),

Taking off his mitre (it's that tall and pointy hat),
Stepping down from Peter's throne. I can't imagine that.
Popes die in the traces; they are not supposed to quit.
People in the Twitter-sphere have been all over it:

"First time that a German's ever volunteered to leave,"
"Someone poached #exBenedict." Some Catholics believe
This means that the Church will start to modernize, at last.
Stop discriminating against women... Not so fast.

If you know the Church at all (and I suspect I do)
You'd know that #exBenedict appointed quite a few
Of the Cardinals who will be gathering in Rome
Where they will select who'll call the Papal Office home.

They may choose a Spanish-speaker or an African;
One thing I can guarantee, however - it's a man.
It would take a miracle if anyone they pick
Says that priests need hearts and souls and faith and not a.... Uhmmm. Genitalia.

[GNTLGNT]

Marsha- I'd apply for the position but I just don't think I'd make it all the way thru the interview!!

...If I were to be hired as the pointy hat feller...(*brief interlude whilst the Giant laughs his azz off*)...I would demand to be addressed as Pope Pope the 1st...and wafers would be replaced by Oreos....(No Catholics were harmed in the typing of this post, cheesed maybe-but not injured)...

[not_nadine]

So, I guess after he resigns he'll forever be known as ex-Benedict?

Sorry. I had to do it.

You were not the only one..

[Jojo87]

Heard and saw this in the news last night. Thought first that he just became Pope but remembered he was already
old when started and think that's the reason why he now leave his role as the Pope.