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You may have heard the news that Pope Benedict XVI will be resigning, the first time in 1500 years that a pope is doing this (as opposed to passing away in office). His health is deteriorating. Unlike in 2005 – the year of the last papal election – this time around there do not appear to be any clear-cut favorites (at least according to the popular media). Pope Benedict Resigns, Vatican ConfirmsI took a class in the history of the papacy when I was getting my Masters, and I (or anyone else who has studied it) can tell you that the papacy has seen all sorts of experiences over its history, including issues in the elections of new popes. We can bet that at least some commentators will treat it, however, like it's supposed to be some popularity contest, with some hoping that it will be a “liberal” pope. I have to shake my head when I hear stuff like that….as if the Pope is supposed to be some figure who arbitrarily decrees new sets of morals according to his whim. Oh, the mind of the cultural modernist!
I'd laugh if the new Pope is more strict than this one. When Pope Benedict was chosen, was he declared a “favorite?”
I think he may have been thought to be the “frontrunner”. He was the most visible cardinal, having been head of one of the important offices at the Vatican. I imagine that those who follow news from the Vatican closely would know more about who the frontrunners are this time around, but really – no one knows at this point in time. It will come down to the vote at the conclave (“with key”) when the cardinals meet.
Dang it, you beat me to it. >:( I have been half expecting this. I also think it is a super smart move on Benedict's part as it allows him to at least try to designate a successor. I have been a big fan of Benedict, I think he has been a much better Pope that JPII. I am very curious as to who the next Pope will be. My money is that it will not be an Italian as many commentators seem to hope. I think the Italian lock on the papacy has been broken. If I had to bet I would go with a New Worlder or African as the next Pope, What say you?
Well, I did read that Pope Benedict will not play a role in the choosing of the next pope, and I think it might give the wrong impression if it seems like he is guiding the choice of the next pontiff. After all, “…Catholics believe that, once behind the shut doors of the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals are guided to their decision by God directly in the guise of the Holy Spirit. Anything becomes possible.” http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/11/pope-benedict-resigned-what-nextI would not be surprised if an African pope were the next chosen, or perhaps a Latin American pope. I would not want to it be seen as an act of political correctness. I would not be surprised, however, if that were the interpretation.
I think it will be African or Latin American because that is where the Church is growing most. Let's be honest and admit that Europe and Western society in general is not the community of faith it once was.Choosing the next Pope is inherently a political act. It is an act of faith but political in it's ramifications as well. Do you really think Benedict will resign without pointing his finger at someone?
Choosing the next Pope is inherently a political act. It is an act of faith but political in it's ramifications as well. Do you really think Benedict will resign without pointing his finger at someone?
I could be wrong, but it just seems like orchestrating your successor as pope seems to indicate a lack of trust in the Holy Spirit and your own cardinals who you helped appoint to get the job done in the first pace. But I agree that there are politics/worldly concerns in the choosing of the successor by the cardinals. They hardly just choose the best theologian available, but instead seem to make a decision based upon how they discern the Church should be guided at the present moment in time.
The liberal hate on commenters on any news story about this is something to behold. You would almost think they are are going to be affected by the choice of who sits in St. Peter's chair. On second thought, they will be affected if the next Pope is as good as Benedict has been as Benedict's example and ministry had helped the Church start to grow again.
And the early front runner to succeed Benedict is Peter Cardinal Turkson from Ghana. I am telling you, I will be shocked if a European is elected to the Holy See next month,
First to resign in 1500 years ?? I thought the last one was Pope Gregory XII – who reigned from 1406 to 1415 or Pope Celestine V in 1294?!AD 3000 already … ???
I don't know what I was thinking. You're right, it should have been “first since 1415”. I changed the initial subject line.
All bets are off ! Archbishop Christoper Schoenborn from Austria seems to be a serious candidate according to the conservative trend in the Vatican.I don't think that Archbishops Dolan and Ouelley will be “chosen”.
