Pope Benedict is retiring

[ChrisH]

A pope can resign at any time.

The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the move has come as a shock - but adds that in theory there has never been anything stopping Pope Benedict or any of his predecessors from stepping aside.

Under the Catholic Church's governing code, Canon Law, the only conditions for the validity of such a resignation are that it be made freely and be properly published.

But resignation is extremely rare: the last Pope to step aside was Pope Gregory XII, who resigned in 1415 amid a schism within the Church.

[cassiesmom]

A pope can resign at any time.

I didn't know that. (I'm not Catholic) I wonder what he will do after he leaves the papacy. Maybe he will write or continue to be a theologian in some other way if his health allows.

[smokey the elder]

I think with people living a long time, a Papal resignation was inevitable. I just didn't expect to see it in this day and age. It's been almost 600 years since it happened last, so is indeed an unusual event. I heard it this morning; when I heard there was breaking news about the Pope I thought they were going to announce he died; he's quite old.

[Kirsten]

Well, I'm not Catholic either, so I was also surprised that popes can resign, if they wish. Learned something new today.

I didn't know that. (I'm not Catholic) I wonder what he will do after he leaves the papacy. Maybe he will write or continue to be a theologian in some other way if his health allows.

I think he will spend some quality time with his brother now; who is 89...

[Catty1]

Word is that a Canadian is a good bet for the position...

The Pill is a no-no eh?

[Lady's Human]

Word is that a Canadian is a good bet for the position...

The Pill is a no-no eh?

It's about a Pope retiring, the first in over 600 years. I think the religious debate thread is in another section.........

[chocolatepuppy]

It's about a Pope retiring, the first in over 600 years. I think the religious debate thread is in another section.........

Thank you.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I do hope they put someone in a bit younger for the next Pope. I'm not Catholic but have family members who are. I did admire Pope John Paul. He seemed like such a sweet man. He was a hard act to follow.

[Karen]

I remember hearing, when Cardinal Ratzinger was elevated to Pope, that the Church acknowledged John Paul II would be a hard act to follow, so they purposefully chose someone "older" so that Pope would have a short term by default. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, as there are those who have long held that as Cardinal, he had too much to do with the clergy abuse coverup to be an effective leader as Pope ...