What do you think about the Pope resigning?

the Pope will leave the Vatican today, that is sad but that is his decision. Well, I think he shouldn't be called Pope anymore but he still has the right to be addressed as "Your Holiness" because he had served the Catholic church with all his heart and he had contributed a lot to the Catholics. for me, it doesn't matter if he's no longer the pope or he's no longer wearing the white robe because he's still willing to help us. It's good that he knows how to go down from the top and to humble himself. He's a real leader because he knows when to stop and he knows when he can no longer handle the position.

There can only be one Pope at a time (at least, under present day rules). Since the last time that a Pope resigned was 600 years ago, there is not a great deal of precedent for what happens afterwards but it is certain that he cannot be referred to as "Pope". He will probably have the title of 'Bishop Emeritus'. I don't see that the colour of robes has a great deal of significance. Certain orders of the Catholic church traditionally wear white robes (for example, the Whitefriars), though the style of the robe may be simpler, of course. All such objections are really mundane and irrelevant to the spiritual significance of the Pope. As a non-Catholic, I am interested, naturally, in how the issue is being dealt with by the Catholic community but it really only serves to fortify my scepticism about 'the church' in general. It seems to me that many churches, and the Catholic Church in particular, are mortally divorced from the real meaning of Christianity and, instead, serve the gods of Power and Wealth ... 'mammon', as the Bible calls it.

I think there's a lot more to the story and things don't look good for the Catholic Church. There has been too much evil done and the day of reckoning is quickly approaching. Jesus said that nothing hidden will stay that way. There is a lot hidden in the Catholic Church.

This is a story that is still unfolding. I heard the Pope will still wear white and not those red shoes he has been wearing. He will still live in the vatican somwhere. I don't think he wants or will be called Pope after tomorrow. The Pope says he is stepping down because he feels he can't no longer job because of his age. Some people think it has to do with other things. I really don't totally understand all this. Hopefully the new Pope will alot younger and be the right person for the job of Pope!

i admire Pope Benedict the XVI for his humility and strength for being able make the right decision of resigning. he has my admiration and respect. 'm sure he went through the right process of discernment before he made the decision to resign and 'm sure it was mot easy for him to announce his decision to the entire world but he did it humbly and bravely

It sounds like a lot of serious matters are facing the church and he is smart enough to know his health isn't strong enough to deal with them. The tabloids suggest that he has cancer in the brain but one can only half believe what they say.

I think it's wonderful! He's been like a breath of cold air for 8 whole years! He's done nothing worth while the whole time, except excuse the molesters and keep women from their fair place in the church, Good riddance,

Hi, There's no big deal here. Resignation is the best way to go when one cannot cope with the pressure of the office. It is easy to tell he is an old man, someone harking back to the dark years of the war, someone who knows the real score and knows when to go and when to stop. The rule is clear, once resigned, no more meddling with the normal functions of that office and letting the successor do his work as such. It is that simple. Maybe, some are not comfortable with this thing, having seen some people in power who stick to it even if it is clear that he cannot function effectively and giving only misery to those under him. If leaders should emulate this gesture, there would be lesser evil in the world today.

This is the way the catholic church works. Once a bishop retreats he becomes "bishop emeritus". No one can take that away from him.Same with the Pope, he will become "bishop emeritus" or Rome.He will be allowed to wear white robes but without any papacy sign.