Pope Benedict XVI Resigns

@MandaLee (3756)
United States
February 11, 2013 1:31pm CST
Pope Benedict XVI is resigning. I was surprised by his decision. What are your thoughts, feelings and reactions to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI?
3 people like this
16 responses
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Feb 13
THese men are getting along in years by the time they reach Popehood. And this one is in ill health as well. It is time they started stepping down. And if he doesn't feel he can do the job as it should be done then he should be given this option of stepping down. Dying in office is okay but is it to be done to the deficit of the office and the ill health of the appointed pope? I don't think so.
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Feb 13
I think in the old traditional way he had chosen that way of life for life but this is 2013 for heaven's sake!
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
13 Feb 13
I agree with you. I think the pope showed courage and humility by choosing to resign. I wish him all the best.
1 person likes this
@Cutie18f (9551)
• Philippines
12 Feb 13
People think that he is doing it for health reasons. There had been Popes who also resigned in the past for health reasons. I mean, any leader, religious or political, cannot continue to be of active service if they have health issues. The Pope is already very old and I think he deserves a break, to live a normal life again with not much pressures.
1 person likes this
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
12 Feb 13
I think so too. It took alot of courage for him to step down.
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11834)
12 Feb 13
It's pretty unusual for a Pope to resign, but I really can't claim to be too interested in the news.
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
12 Feb 13
Hi Greenmoo, The fact that it is unusual is why many people are interested.
1 person likes this
@fannitia (2167)
• Bulgaria
11 Feb 13
As I see everyone was shocked even the Vatican. I'm not a catholic but I think that this is a praiseworthy decision. He says: "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering." It's obvious that the pope is aware of his health problems and he took a commendable decision. For me this means that he is a good man.
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
11 Feb 13
Fannita, Yes, it was a commendable decision. I think he is a good man as well.
@fannitia (2167)
• Bulgaria
11 Feb 13
Thanks for your praise, MandaLee. For me this is the most important thing - to be a good man, no matter if you are a king or pope or an ordinary man. I was really surprised. I liked pope John Paul very much, he was a great person. But I didn't know what to think about his successor. Now I know - he is a good man.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
11 Feb 13
I have noticed his deterioration over the last couple of years. He has become very frail. My memory is that he was very robust when elected Pope. I think that he did the right thing. He is actually not resigning as much as he is retiring. He is 85 after all. I hope that after resigning or retiring, some of his health and energy might return and he might enjoy his later years after being Pope. Although I am not a Catholic, The Pope is a very powerful person who affects the whole world, just like our President. I follow what the Pope and the Catholic Church says or does.
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
12 Feb 13
Hi Bostonphil, I am not Catholic. However, I do follow what the church is saying and doing. I wish the new Pope all the best.
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
12 Feb 13
So do I.
• United States
12 Feb 13
I wish the new Pope the best also as well as the present Pope.I think that it is very courageous of him to say that i am no longer capable of doing the job.
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
23 Feb 13
Dear MandaLee I am a Catholic and I think his decision is a shame for the church. I doubted it anyways he is a good choice as a Pope when the cardinals elected him after John Paul II passed away. John Paul II really was a saint, leading the church in spite of his severe illness with Parkinsons Disease but this Pope is a mock package to me . I find it sickening how media already call him a great Pope who will be resigning and so on and on. Hope the Cardinals make a better choice soon. Every Pope has led the church and done his job till he passed away in the last 800 years or more and he just sits there and resigns.
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
23 Feb 13
Dear Rittersport, I am not Catholic. However, I find the history of Catholicism very interesting. I hope that a new Pope is selected before Easter.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
11 Feb 13
Obviously a decision he didn't take lightly, and he had his reasons, so now he paves a way for a new pope to step in. Will it be Pope Benedict XVII? I just assume that is how it works?
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
12 Feb 13
Hi wolfie, I think he had his reasons as well. I am not Catholic, so I don't know how the new Popes name is chosen.
@AmbiePam (84638)
• United States
12 Feb 13
Kind of surprising.
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
12 Feb 13
Yes, it is.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
11 Feb 13
good for him for realizing his limitations. it takes a big person to admit that he is human, even if he is the pope. i am not Catholic but i admire him for his common sense.
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
11 Feb 13
So do I.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
11 Feb 13
Hi MandaLee, I think this was a surprise to everyone but he is an old man and if his health is failing, it would be the right decision. The fact that a pope hasn't resigned in more than six hundred years, is probably why it's come as such a shock to many.Blessings.
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
12 Feb 13
Hi Pose, I think so too.
• United States
11 Feb 13
In truth I am not Catholic and so this effects me in no way. There fore it bothers me in no way either. I do not know why he has resigned but see all over the Internet that he has. If it is for health reasons I would say he is responsible. It is my understanding that he is the head of the church and if sick really how could he do his job?
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
12 Feb 13
That is a good point.
• Canada
11 Feb 13
Wow that didn't last long and good he saw his limitations! I am not a catholic, several revivals came in that church but didn't last long. Hopefully the next can bring revival even more into that church!
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
12 Feb 13
That would be great.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
11 Feb 13
I was shocked when my son told me about it earlier. I didn't know that Popes can resign from their post. I thought that they remain as is until they die. Anyway, if it was caused by health issues and Pope Benedict feels that he would rather step down and rest, well, it is his prerogative. Although in my own opinion, I think it would be better if he would have stayed just like what Pope John Paul II did....well, just saying...
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
12 Feb 13
Dear Jenny, Many people think he should have stayed. I had no idea Popes could resign. I was shocked as well.
@robspeakman (1700)
11 Feb 13
They have cited failing health.... "He just can't keep it up anymore" Claimed a relieved choirboy. A member of the Hitler youth and responsible for sweeping away the child abuse allegations..... Yeah good riddance.
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
11 Feb 13
The Catholic church has had its challenges. I am not Catholic. I admire his humility and courage. In resigning, he did what was best for the church.
• United States
25 Feb 13
Hi, I am Catholic. I had a lot of admiration for Pope John Paul II. I wish Pope Benedict XVI well in his retirement. I hope that a new Pope is determined before Easter.
• Poland
11 Feb 13
If he feels that he can't be a Pope anymore then it's probably a wise decision. Pope's responsibilities are too important to be held by someone who don't feel the strength to fulfill them. Personally I think he just felt like an old tired man and he wants to live his last days in peace and quiet. And I think he has as much right for that as much as any other person his age.
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
11 Feb 13
I could not agree more.