theintelhub.com
February 11, 2013
Reuters reports that Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world today with his declaration that he is stepping down from his post as the Pope of the Catholic Church, citing ill-health as the reason he is unable to adequately carry out his papal duties.
“In the announcement read to cardinals in Latin, the German-born pope, 85, said: “Well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of St Peter …
“As from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours (2 p.m. ET) the See of Rome, the See of St. Peter will be vacant and a conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is”” (Pullella, 2013).
Even those closest to Pope Benedict were amazed by the announcement, though it seems that he has been contemplating the action for some time.
“The pope told the cardinals that in order to govern “…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”” (Pullella, 2013).
Considering Benedict is eight-five years old, it is fathomable that the high-energy schedule of leading one of the largest religious institutions in the world could take its toll on him, though nearly all past popes have refrained from resignation due to fears of upheavals in the political structure of the church.
The process of choosing a new pope falls to the cardinals and appears to be a rather grueling and complicated process. The last papal resignation occurred in 1294, with Pope Celestine V, whose willing renunciation became known as “the great refusal”(Pullella, 2013).
The slightly more recent (1415) resignation of Pope Gregory XII occurred when he unwillingly stepped down after a rival pope challenged his position (Pullella, 2013).
Father Lombardi Federico, a spokesperson for the Vatican, says the cardinals are preparing to go into seclusion to begin the process of choosing the next pope, though Benedict does not want to influence the outcome of their decision and will retire quietly to a convent inside Vatican City.
Although Pope Benedict XVI did not carry on with his reign as expected he remains a maverick in papal history:
“The first German pope for some 1,000 years and the second non-Italian in a row…”(Pullella, 2013).
And now Benedict, formerly known as “God’s rottweiler,” will break ground yet again by being the first pope in centuries to step down from the papacy in the coming weeks.
Sources:
-Pope benedict xvi resignation: Inside the conclave [Web series episode]. (2013). In ABC NEWS Video. Retrieved from http://news.yahoo.com/video/gma-pope-benedict-xvi-resignation-080000211.html
-Pullella, P. (2013, February 11). Pope’s sudden resignation sends shock waves through church. Reuters. Retrieved from http://news.yahoo.com/pope-resigns-saying-no-longer-strength-fulfill-ministry-112923467.html
Sarah Dee is a University of Texas graduate and animal lover who enjoys writing, reading, and living in the Lone Star State. She is also a guest co-host on Truth Exposed Radio Show and an investigative journalist for theintelhub.com a popular alternative news website.
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Pope Shocks World with the First Papal Resignation in 700 Years
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