Only the Holy Father could wake me up early this morning, and only the Holy Father could get this busy law student to actually post something since late October.
The news isn't going to come as a surprise to any of you. Indeed, the Holy Father has often hinted that he has considered the possibility, especially in light of the deterioration that Pope John Paul II went through. As His Holiness's health has also deteriorated, Pope Benedict has suggested (in interviews, mostly) that abdicating from the Chair of St. Peter was a real possibility. Pope Benedict never did want to be Pope, and hopefully now he can finish his years where he's always wanted to- in the library surrounded by books. Furthermore, Pope Benedict was the oldest person elected Pope since 1730, at the age of 78.
Pope Benedict wants to hand the helm over to a younger, stronger man who can keep up with the demands and rigors of both the office and today's new technology. His Holiness stated “in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of St. Peter and proclaim the gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me."
An abdicating Pope isn't especially new, at least by historical standards. The last one to do so was Pope Gregory XII in 1415, and there have been a total of 10 to do so (the most famous was Pope Celestine V in 1294, for which Dante placed him in hell). Pope Benedict XVI will continue to reign as Pope until February 28. It seems that there might be a possibility that the Cardinals will wait a little before coming together in a Conclave, perhaps waiting until a little closer to Easter.
But, there are a few things that are going to make this Conclave (where the cardinals comes together and elect a new Pope) very interesting:
First, instant communication is up like it's never been before. So I'm probably going to get a text message the instant the white smoke comes out of the chimney, signifying that a new Pope has been elected.
Secondly, a few moves on the part of the Vatican as of late make sense. Of course Pope Benedict wouldn't want to come out with a statement on what Archbishop Gomez did to Cardinal Mahoney, because he knew that he would soon have a predecessor who would want to make his own stance known.
Thirdly, this next Pope is supposed to fit in with St. Malachy's prophecies. This coming Pope is supposed to be the last Pope, Peter the Roman. Many Fundamentalist and anti-Catholic organizations have also stated that Pope John Paul II is supposed to rise from the dead to become Pope again. All I have to say is... we shall see.
Fourthly, this is an excellent opportunity for the College of Cardinals. Pope John Paul II was the first non-Italian Pope for roughly 500 years. This would be a great time to elect a Pope from Africa, or maybe a Latin American Pope! We'll see. Conclaves are always exciting, and usually the results are unexpected as of late.
Right now, where you sit or stand, say an Our Father first for the upcoming Conclave and the next Pope. Then pray a Glory Be for Pope Benedict XVI. Say what you will, but the guy has had to endure a lot.
So, what are your thoughts?!
Interesting (and good) articles:
Can the Pope Retire?
John Allen, Jr.'s assessment on Pope Benedict XVI's time in the papacy.
NCRegister
Jimmy Akin (the most intelligent Catholic I know)
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