Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Latest Breaking News
In reply to the discussion: Pope to step down 28 February per Italian news and BBC [View all]AngryOldDem
(14,060 posts)153. Something about this just isn't adding up.
Out of the blue resignation? In just two weeks' time?
The sex scandal gaining new traction, with the revelations out of Ireland, and the developments in LA?
The long-held rule that Popes do not resign, no matter how poor their health? (This was often asked late in JPII's papacy, and the explanation was that Popes don't resign. If anyone had a good reason to resign, it was JPII._
The recent controversy with the valet?
This is just all too sudden...and odd...to be just one more old man announcing his retirement.
Not that the true story will ever come out, not from an organzation so adept at obfuscation as the Catholic Church.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
177 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
Since he's over 80, he wouldn't get a vote himself anyway, as a cardinal (nt)
muriel_volestrangler
Feb 2013
#26
I really wish people would stop trying to portray Pope Benedict as a Nazi
Fortinbras Armstrong
Feb 2013
#38
That is one of my beefs with this pope. He's like .... he's a mess in every way.
loudsue
Feb 2013
#99
Yep. There's plenty of problems but the Hitler Youth angle is just stupid. (nt)
Posteritatis
Feb 2013
#142
For the past 500 years, it has been, but there is precedence (apparently, if you go back that far)
hlthe2b
Feb 2013
#14
How magnanimous of you. However you do bring up an interesting point. Am I a bigot?
Richard_uk
Feb 2013
#68
No, the US constitution does not allow "freedom of though and freedom of speech".
uppityperson
Feb 2013
#151
A thread like this is a target for a virulent group of "discriminated-against atheist minority"
NBachers
Feb 2013
#177
I provide a factual response to the other poster. Do not include me in your attacks & ugly bigotry
hlthe2b
Feb 2013
#42
Catholics who chose to follow their religious beliefs in their own manner (and quite often
lunasun
Feb 2013
#80
He did not want his body placed for extended public viewing like his predecessor's was.
John1956PA
Feb 2013
#19
He is only infallible when he speaks ex cathedra. And there is no evidence that he is senile.
totodeinhere
Feb 2013
#129
Or, a wealth of new candidates. Sounds kind of crazy, but the first thing I thought when I saw this:
freshwest
Feb 2013
#105
Thanks! That was my first thought: Vatican banking scandal about to erupt.
Peace Patriot
Feb 2013
#107
Yeah, but there's a new scandal brewing--current investigation of Vatican banking...
Peace Patriot
Feb 2013
#175
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
The Vatican doesn't live in the last decade. It lives in the 10th century.
Peace Patriot
Feb 2013
#169
Pope placed on gardening leave after accepting lucrative offer to join Islam
dipsydoodle
Feb 2013
#60
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
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
I understand the sucessor will most likely be a Cardinal. Do you think he will come from
24601
Feb 2013
#117
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
I love it. Giving 2 weeks' notice like some part-timer down at Burger Sling.
kestrel91316
Feb 2013
#176