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BBC Link: muriel_volestrangler Feb 2013 #1
OMG Scairp Feb 2013 #118
Wants to spend more quality time with his family... mpcamb Feb 2013 #140
Lol Scairp Feb 2013 #145
Joe Madison talking about it now on SiriusXM BumRushDaShow Feb 2013 #2
Good n/t FreeState Feb 2013 #3
Is this so he can have a say in his successor? FreeState Feb 2013 #11
He wouldn't be able to have a say Posteritatis Feb 2013 #18
That is not exactly true... SkyDaddy7 Feb 2013 #23
Handwavey opinion doesn't make something untrue. (nt) Posteritatis Feb 2013 #141
Since he's over 80, he wouldn't get a vote himself anyway, as a cardinal (nt) muriel_volestrangler Feb 2013 #26
Regarding motives... DesertRat Feb 2013 #103
What weak, aged, ill pope hasn't stuck it out to the end? HooptieWagon Feb 2013 #115
you're entitled to your opinion DesertRat Feb 2013 #137
Pope is for life. HooptieWagon Feb 2013 #138
Just heard this on my local NBC affiliate morning news! Rhiannon12866 Feb 2013 #4
NBC Special Report with Matt Lauer just broke in Rhiannon12866 Feb 2013 #13
actually the last Pope to resign was melm00se Feb 2013 #35
But that was to resolve the Great Western Schism starroute Feb 2013 #82
You're right! Thanks! Rhiannon12866 Feb 2013 #163
No more Hitler Youth leading the world's Catholics? n/t Fire Walk With Me Feb 2013 #5
I really wish people would stop trying to portray Pope Benedict as a Nazi Fortinbras Armstrong Feb 2013 #38
Agreed. A much better description would ChairmanAgnostic Feb 2013 #59
That is one of my beefs with this pope. He's like .... he's a mess in every way. loudsue Feb 2013 #99
Not to mention his active persecution of us LGBT folks. Zorra Feb 2013 #133
Okay then... awoke_in_2003 Feb 2013 #114
That he earned fair and square Retrograde Feb 2013 #116
Yep. There's plenty of problems but the Hitler Youth angle is just stupid. (nt) Posteritatis Feb 2013 #142
No fan of the Pope either, but I wish this meme would die. AngryOldDem Feb 2013 #154
The only thing I can say is...Holy Shit! Ken Burch Feb 2013 #6
No! LeftInTX Feb 2013 #113
One wonders whether the child abuse is going to hit the fan. 6000eliot Feb 2013 #7
Bingo ! Berlum Feb 2013 #15
That was my first thought! nt City Lights Feb 2013 #69
You can be sure skepticscott Feb 2013 #8
One who never should have been Pope.... Auf Wiedersehen! hlthe2b Feb 2013 #9
Isn't papacy a life long commitment? darkangel218 Feb 2013 #10
For the past 500 years, it has been, but there is precedence (apparently, if you go back that far) hlthe2b Feb 2013 #14
If you are the head of a superstition based industry Richard_uk Feb 2013 #36
Thank you for that piece of atheistic bigotry Fortinbras Armstrong Feb 2013 #39
I prefer to call it rational thought Richard_uk Feb 2013 #46
You prefer to absolve your bigotry. Fortinbras Armstrong Feb 2013 #57
How magnanimous of you. However you do bring up an interesting point. Am I a bigot? Richard_uk Feb 2013 #68
Unfortunately you are painting 'religion' with an very broad brush. Stonepounder Feb 2013 #108
why do poeple need others to respect their mythology? snooper2 Feb 2013 #81
"I am not sorry that I appear to have upset you" demwing Feb 2013 #65
why do you hate the constitution so much? Richard_uk Feb 2013 #74
Oh stop the sanctimonious nonsense. ForgoTheConsequence Feb 2013 #85
The constitution guarantees free speech demwing Feb 2013 #97
No, the US constitution does not allow "freedom of though and freedom of speech". uppityperson Feb 2013 #151
I wasn't juror #2 LOL - gee I wonder who alerted. Hassin Bin Sober Feb 2013 #79
Not being rude to religious DUers demwing Feb 2013 #98
Except being rude about the Muslim faith... Drunken Irishman Feb 2013 #102
A thread like this is a target for a virulent group of "discriminated-against atheist minority" NBachers Feb 2013 #177
I AM IN TOTAL AGREEMENT WITH YOUR corneliamcgillicutty Feb 2013 #134
I provide a factual response to the other poster. Do not include me in your attacks & ugly bigotry hlthe2b Feb 2013 #42
I admit that I was a little sarcastic Richard_uk Feb 2013 #52
Catholics who chose to follow their religious beliefs in their own manner (and quite often lunasun Feb 2013 #80
Google might be your friend... hlthe2b Feb 2013 #87
thank "god" someone mentioned it... TruthBeTold65 Feb 2013 #47
Hey, a little more respect. Beacool Feb 2013 #72
Live and let live I do like that idea, Richard_uk Feb 2013 #77
+1 n/t PasadenaTrudy Feb 2013 #93
He did not want his body placed for extended public viewing like his predecessor's was. John1956PA Feb 2013 #19
A pope wanting to preempt Dark Age rituals? Brickbat Feb 2013 #66
Not all popes and R. C. clergy believe the church dogma. John1956PA Feb 2013 #125
Well he doesn't quite have the status of the previous pope LiberalFighter Feb 2013 #76
It's legitimate, just very, very rare Posteritatis Feb 2013 #20
Maybe they will go without a pope. darkangel218 Feb 2013 #158
Supreme Court used to be, too. Bucky Feb 2013 #33
That's what they say. AngryOldDem Feb 2013 #156
First papal resignation since 1415 Posteritatis Feb 2013 #12
Holy moley! longship Feb 2013 #16
He's doing the right thing, but it can't have been easy for him struggle4progress Feb 2013 #17
The man is 86 years old fasttense Feb 2013 #21
Obviously ... he's too pooped to Pope Auggie Feb 2013 #89
Auggie you made my day. I couldn't stop laughing. Thanks. n/t fasttense Feb 2013 #172
But I thought the Pope was "infallible". Zoeisright Feb 2013 #124
He is only infallible when he speaks ex cathedra. And there is no evidence that he is senile. totodeinhere Feb 2013 #129
That's not what papal infallibility means. Posteritatis Feb 2013 #143
Maybe he got some wits... MrMickeysMom Feb 2013 #162
One can only imagine the scandal that would force this Pope out of msanthrope Feb 2013 #22
Or, a wealth of new candidates. Sounds kind of crazy, but the first thing I thought when I saw this: freshwest Feb 2013 #105
Thought the job was gonna be all child's play. Ichingcarpenter Feb 2013 #24
Boy oh boy oh boy oh boy Richard_uk Feb 2013 #40
LOL! nt Lucky Luciano Feb 2013 #54
You nailed it, lol! n/t PasadenaTrudy Feb 2013 #96
As a non-practicing Catholic, I'm encouraged to see this. Kath1 Feb 2013 #25
From a barely practicing Catholic, we need someone life long demo Feb 2013 #29
Thank you. Kath1 Feb 2013 #61
Pope will tell all Ichingcarpenter Feb 2013 #27
Alright, how old was the boy involved? Lucky Luciano Feb 2013 #28
That was my first thought, too. Odin2005 Feb 2013 #45
Italy suspends Vatican bank card payments PADemD Feb 2013 #48
That would be disappointing if it's all about the money. hunter Feb 2013 #90
Thanks! That was my first thought: Vatican banking scandal about to erupt. Peace Patriot Feb 2013 #107
Scandals over the Vatican Bank aren't exactly new! LongTomH Feb 2013 #132
Yeah, but there's a new scandal brewing--current investigation of Vatican banking... Peace Patriot Feb 2013 #175
New Pope selection process will make it more modern Ichingcarpenter Feb 2013 #30
If this man speaks with god? Richard_uk Feb 2013 #31
Lol! Could be. Peace Patriot Feb 2013 #111
So the Vice Pope moves up until the next election cycle? Bucky Feb 2013 #32
The prophecy of St. Malachy OnlinePoker Feb 2013 #34
Here's an easy fix to that. NO MORE POPES. NO MORE NEXT ONE. valerief Feb 2013 #37
Hell yes! PasadenaTrudy Feb 2013 #94
The Last Pope by John Hogue PADemD Feb 2013 #41
A likely 16th century forgery ButterflyBlood Feb 2013 #58
Wow, that came out of nowhere! Odin2005 Feb 2013 #43
You have to give up something for Lint Ichingcarpenter Feb 2013 #49
Must be a specific illness. Hopefully, he will have no hand in choosing his successor. nt onehandle Feb 2013 #44
No, Popes don't resign because of illness. He's a monarch. Monarchs don't resign. nt Peace Patriot Feb 2013 #112
Except for the many who resign or otherwise abdicate, that is. Posteritatis Feb 2013 #144
The Vatican doesn't live in the last decade. It lives in the 10th century. Peace Patriot Feb 2013 #169
Actually they do and have resigned. 840high Feb 2013 #161
the Pope isn't a monarch TorchTheWitch Feb 2013 #174
next time someone without the unwashable soul taint of the nazi horror n/t Sunlei Feb 2013 #50
During Lent? ButterflyBlood Feb 2013 #51
Maybe it's FOR Lent. Iggo Feb 2013 #53
That floored me too. Beacool Feb 2013 #73
If he was that ill, why not just wait until he dies? starroute Feb 2013 #84
Just what will an ex-Pope do? Historic NY Feb 2013 #55
Good riddance. nt truebluegreen Feb 2013 #56
Pope placed on gardening leave after accepting lucrative offer to join Islam dipsydoodle Feb 2013 #60
He's retiring to Mount Olive, but Popeye says "no way" TheCowsCameHome Feb 2013 #62
You rascal dipsydoodle Feb 2013 #64
10...9...8...7...6...It is Obama's fault! nt mfcorey1 Feb 2013 #63
I heard that he got a better job offer from the Mormons Yavin4 Feb 2013 #67
This is confirmed by the Vatican's own web site: happyslug Feb 2013 #70
I'm utterly shocked. Beacool Feb 2013 #71
The timing is strange LeftInTX Feb 2013 #122
Yes, it is strange, unless he's too ill to be able to last at the job that long. Beacool Feb 2013 #131
It goes back closer to 750 if you only count ones who really had a say in the matter Posteritatis Feb 2013 #149
Good point. Beacool Feb 2013 #157
per France24: ucrdem Feb 2013 #165
Checking my twitter account and thought it was a joke. Wow!! LiberalFighter Feb 2013 #75
Maybe Ringo will get the job. dipsydoodle Feb 2013 #78
Given the current climate Courtesy Flush Feb 2013 #83
Mea Maxima Culpa CANDO Feb 2013 #86
Wrong man for the wrong times Franker65 Feb 2013 #88
No--perfect man to oversee the destruction of a corrupt, msanthrope Feb 2013 #92
He will not be missed. Dawson Leery Feb 2013 #91
Hallelujah!! loudsue Feb 2013 #95
I was thinking that his reign would not be long. Third Doctor Feb 2013 #100
Scary bloke Ian Iam Feb 2013 #101
Perhaps now a (more) decent one can be chosen. NYC Liberal Feb 2013 #104
Pope Ratzo leaving? Hard Assets Feb 2013 #106
February 11 is when Saint Bernadette saw the vision of Our Lady of Lourdes lovuian Feb 2013 #109
Alzheimers'? patrice Feb 2013 #110
No, the Vatican is a monarchy. Monarchs don't resign. Peace Patriot Feb 2013 #119
Yep. And I bet he wouldn't be the first Alzheimers' pope, even if that is true. nt patrice Feb 2013 #121
What do you know about the Papal Order of the Golden Spur? One of the most recent recipients of patrice Feb 2013 #123
My first thought when the bbc quoted 'citing poor health' eom tawadi Feb 2013 #120
My first thought was "he's in his late eighties" Posteritatis Feb 2013 #146
I understand the sucessor will most likely be a Cardinal. Do you think he will come from 24601 Feb 2013 #117
Post removed Post removed Feb 2013 #126
Scalia is evil! why would you want an evil man to do that. hrmjustin Feb 2013 #128
I'm glad I'm not Catholic.. Permanut Feb 2013 #127
It's not that painful actually. redwitch Feb 2013 #130
Ya got me on that one, redwitch.. Permanut Feb 2013 #170
'Sex-Abuse Mohony' to Help Choose New Pope tomm2thumbs Feb 2013 #135
Do you think they'll send Cardinal Law back home to Boston to face the music now that the Pope Paper Roses Feb 2013 #136
Good riddance. But, I doubt the next one will be any better. rateyes Feb 2013 #139
Bye Bye Pope Maledict, We Won't Miss Ya AndyTiedye Feb 2013 #147
Resignation accepted... Bosonic Feb 2013 #148
A signal from above ? dipsydoodle Feb 2013 #150
Wonder fresh scandal with his name on it is coming soon? REP Feb 2013 #152
Something about this just isn't adding up. AngryOldDem Feb 2013 #153
Good riddance, you wont be missed. darkangel218 Feb 2013 #155
Probably wants to go hunting with the Big Dick... NYtoBush-Drop Dead Feb 2013 #159
While I was never a fan of Pope Ratzinger happynewyear Feb 2013 #160
Trying to Remember ~ Is he the Pope goclark Feb 2013 #166
yes he was happynewyear Feb 2013 #168
Auf Wiedersehen NAZI pope! triplepoint Feb 2013 #164
Wow! goclark Feb 2013 #173
At long, long last ... BlueMTexpat Feb 2013 #167
This just in! PMcDee Feb 2013 #171
I love it. Giving 2 weeks' notice like some part-timer down at Burger Sling. kestrel91316 Feb 2013 #176
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