Pope Benedict to step down on February 28

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Failing health cited (slowing stream of young altar boys uncited):

http://reuters.com/article/idUSBRE91A0A120130211?irpc=932
http://www.npr.org/2013/02/11/171681283/pope-benedict-to-resign

ROME (Reuters) - Pope Benedict said on Monday he will resign on Feb 28 because he no longer has the strength to fulfill the duties of his office, becoming the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to take such a step.

The 85-year-old pope said he had noticed that his strength had deteriorated over recent months "to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me".

"For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter," he said according to a statement from the Vatican.

A Vatican spokesman said the pontiff would step down from 1900 GMT on February 28, leaving the office vacant until a successor is chosen.

"Whoah" at bolded part
 
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ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
Funny... I thought that the only way to lose your Pope title was to die... and even then the Catholic church seems to come up with some excuse to make you a Saint after death.
 

preCRT

Platinum Member
Apr 12, 2000
2,340
123
106
Hope to hell that scumbag Bernie Law doesn't get to fulfill his dream of becoming Pope.
 

preCRT

Platinum Member
Apr 12, 2000
2,340
123
106
Now the wheeling, dealing, blackmailing, and open politicking can begin...
 

todpod

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2001
1,275
0
76
It won't be an american for sure, Maybe an Latin American or African pope.
 

_Rick_

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2012
3,950
70
91
I want Patrick Stewart to become the pope.
He's got the acting talent and charisma to pull it off, all day, every day.
Maybe he hasn't the required working knowledge of Latin, but then, it's not like anybody cares about that :D
 

Double Trouble

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,270
103
106
That's very surprising news to me. I commend the guy for acknowledging that he isn't able to do what is needed anymore, and to step aside. That's a rarity.
 

Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
4,399
190
106
That's very surprising news to me. I commend the guy for acknowledging that he isn't able to do what is needed anymore, and to step aside. That's a rarity.


As much BS and lawsuits going on now I would not be surprised this is to protect the money and church... I mean him.
 

FelixDeCat

Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
30,718
2,610
126
2,000 years of Popes and he is only the second to resign.

I hope his successor is another like John Paul II.

God bless you Pope Benedict XVI. ():)
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,080
136
Put an ex-muslim Arab on the seat and the circle of pedophilia, misogyny and gay-hating would finally be complete.

sxYpWye.gif
 

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,031
14
81
What will my dad do with his, "God bless my German Shephard" bumper sticker now? :\
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,739
454
126
So it's just vacant at the end of the month? Sounds like they need to start up some kind of vice-Pope system
 

dawp

Lifer
Jul 2, 2005
11,347
2,709
136
So it's just vacant at the end of the month? Sounds like they need to start up some kind of vice-Pope system

it's been like this for 1500+ years, they ain't going to change it anytime soon.
 

techs

Lifer
Sep 26, 2000
28,559
4
0
His legacy will be presiding over the longest and largest conspiracy to sexually abuse children in the history of the world.
 

PokerGuy

Lifer
Jul 2, 2005
13,650
201
101
God bless Pope Benedict, and grant his successor strength and wisdom.

I see it didn't take long for the hateful anti-religion bigots to rear their ugly heads in here.