Pope Benedict in shock resignation

IrishGuy

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign at the end of this month after nearly eight years as the head of the Catholic Church, saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85.

The unexpected development - the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years - surprised governments, Vatican-watchers and even his closest aides.

The Vatican says it expects a new Pope to be elected before Easter.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21411304

Jason P

A very rare event.

First pontiff to do so in 600 years.

IrishGuy

Yeah, I thought it was basically a job for life.

For a slightly less serious take on the story http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/celebrity/pope-headhunted-by-satan-2013021159277

JimmyV

Very strange indeed. Makes me want to rewatch Eurotrip.

know1

So they're convening the next conclave in March?

The Catholic church comes off as quite creepy to me. Too much ritual, symbolism, and tradition and not enough practical application of God's word.

dignin

Good riddance. Maybe this will make room for a more progressive Pope, although I will not hold my breath.

pandora

Good timing for change

Jason P

Maybe they can do a little research and make sure the new guy was never in cahoots with the Nazis.

:fp:

:P

youngster

Is it possible to have a pope that is under the age of 70?

mickeyrat

I know he is up in years , but to come on the heels of a second u.s. diocese cardinal to face and be convicted of criminal charges and given his former post related to such matters, his resignation coming at this time seems suspect to me.

eeriepadave

your new pope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnUaUXZrYb0

81

hopefully the next one shuts this cess pool down.

brianlux

If anyone, regardless of position or stature, desires to retire before they die and is capable doing so I say go for it and good for you!

gimmesometruth27

the real crime in all of this is that this pope will become a piece of trivial information on a game show such as...

contestent: "i'll take vatican history for $500, Alex"

trebek: "this pontiff was the first one to retire since the 1400s."

contestent: "who was benedict the 7th?"

he will be remembered for this retirement instead of what he really did, cover up for hundreds of pedophile priests.

Jeanwah

How interesting that lightning struck the Vatican today, Too. Click on the link, a photo of it was caught.


http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news ... pe-1704295

JaneNY

He's pretty old, and he didn't want to be pope in the first place - he just took it on because he felt it was his duty when asked.

Prince Of Dorkness

Of course "something" happened and he was told "you're going to quit now."

We'll find out what it was, maybe. Or maybe secrecy was the deal.

"we won't release the video of you fucking those kids and the donkey while wearing your old SS uniform and you quit now because you're so hated that the entire Catholic church is losing money, credibility and members."

Good riddance to bad garbage and garbage is what that pig is. He's such a swine that I can't even come up with words in any human language to describe what an evil monster he is.

fife

It was always know that he was a transitional Pope as they didn't want another john Paul the 2nd. I would not be surprised if we see a south American pope next.

lukin2006

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013 ... okies.html

Oddsmakers have Canadian as leading pope candidate

Irish bookmakers today put Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet as the leading contender to succeed Pope Benedict XVI.

At 5-2 odds early Monday, someone betting two euros ($2.68 Cdn) on Ouellet replacing Benedict would win five euros ($6.70) if the Quebecer were elected at the papal conclave, Bloomberg News reported after Pope Benedict announced Monday he is resigning end of February for health reasons.

Later in the day, the Canadian's odds stretched to 3-1, paying six euros ($8.10) on a two-euro bet.

The Dublin-based bookmaker Paddy Power's odds suggest that the next most likely contenders are African Cardinals Francis Arinze of Nigeria at 4-1 and Peter Turkson of Ghana at 7-2.

Betting on elections and other outcomes has a long history in Ireland and the U.K., where wagering has gone far beyond sporting events.

The longest shot on Paddy Power's papal-successor list Monday was rock star activist Bono.

Bono: a long shot for pope. (J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press)
He was followed by Rev. Dougal McGuire, a fictional simpleton in the British TV series Father Ted who has only a vague understanding of Roman Catholicism.

Both were given 1,000-1 odds of becoming pope.

Ouellet, Canadian head of the Vatican's office for bishops, has experience in Latin America and holds a senior position with the Congregation for Bishops in Rome, which oversees the selection of some bishops.

While candidates do not campaign for the papal job, and Ouellet expressed outright reluctance in 2011, he is, at age 68, among the younger potential candidates.

Jason P

lukin2006 wrote:

Oddsmakers have Canadian as leading pope candidate

How 'bout dual popes, eh?

lukin2006

Jason P wrote:

lukin2006 wrote:

Oddsmakers have Canadian as leading pope candidate

How 'bout dual popes, eh?