New Pope to be elected after this month

[Glasgow]

His Holiness Pope Benedict the 16th had declared that he will be resigning from his office in the holy see as the bishop of Rome (...and the whole long title, yes) at the end of this month. This spells change for the Catholic church, as the college of cardinals will vote on the identity of the next Pope of the Catholic world. Such resignation hadn't been used in centuries, but the pope had said that his advanced age and health issues forced him to reach this decision.

What do you think of this change? Any Catholics here?

 

[SckizoBoy]

He's the first pope to abdicate for 598 years (Gregory XII in 1415) and third in history (Pontian in 235 IIRC).

That's pretty good going, considering how militaristic the Vatican used to be... though I'm sure there were their fair share of 'suspicious deaths'. Anyway, considering his age when he became Pope, not surprised really.

And I'm a Protestant, so not really bothered... -_-

 

[Catfood220]

I didn't know he could retire as Pope, I thought he had to hold the post until his death. I mean, its not as if he's going to go back to having a normal life is it.

 

[Glasgow]

He's the first pope to abdicate for 598 years (Gregory XII in 1415) and third in history (Pontian in 235 IIRC).

That's pretty good going, considering how militaristic the Vatican used to be... though I'm sure there were their fair share of 'suspicious deaths'. Anyway, considering his age when he became Pope, not surprised really.

And I'm a Protestant, so not really bothered... -_-

Studying the line of succession for this position had taught me to never eat mushrooms.

 

[Nantucket_v1legacy]

I thought you had to die to give up that kind of commitment. I don't even know how a Pope is picked let alone who is in with a chance. Do you need to be a vicar or something?

And I'm a Protestant, so not really bothered... -_-

^ Same.

 

[Zhukov]

Huh. I didn't know popes had the option to resign.

The last one, John Paul, was paraded about up to the point that he was practically a corpse wired into a chair.

 

[Aerodyamic]

Huh. I didn't know popes had the option to resign.

The last one, John Paul, was paraded about up to the point that he was practically a corpse wired into a chair.

Considering the physical appearance of the current Pope, I was actually EXPECTING the Catholic Church to try and pull a "Golden Throne".

 

[OniaPL]

What do you think of this change? Any Catholics here?

Not a catholic, sorry.

I can't comment on this based on it's effect on those who are catholic or it's changes on the inner politics of the holy see and such, but I don't believe this change means anything. As far as I know the pope is largely a figurehead, and therefore he had no effect on the catholic church's policies/interpretations of the bible, so it's not like anything will radically change.

 

[Thaluikhain]

What do you think of this change? Any Catholics here?

Not a catholic, sorry.

I can't comment on this based on it's effect on those who are catholic or it's changes on the inner politics of the holy see and such, but I don't believe this change means anything. As far as I know the pope is largely a figurehead, and therefore he had no effect on the catholic church's policies/interpretations of the bible, so it's not like anything will radically change.

Well...the current Pope wasn't a great choice of figurehead. He used to run what the Inquisition became, and he was a former member of the Hitler Youth. Yes, I know that doesn't automatically make him a Nazi, but regardless of the truth, it makes him, and by extension the Catholic Church, look bad. If they'd have picked someone whose history looked more palatable, it'd have helped the PR of the church, which is always useful.

 

[Yuno Gasai]

I didn't know he could retire as Pope, I thought he had to hold the post until his death. I mean, its not as if he's going to go back to having a normal life is it.

I was wondering that myself.

I also found myself thinking about whether or not he'd have to update his CV..

"Pope (2005-2013)" is quite an interesting addition, no?

 

[an annoyed writer]

Huh. Thought he had to die to give up that position. not that I care, I'm an atheist, and they don't like me much either. Wonder if the new guy will incite any positive change of any sort. I'm not counting on it, but the thought of it occurring is a nice one to entertain.

 

[OniaPL]

Well...the current Pope wasn't a great choice of figurehead. He used to run what the Inquisition became, and he was a former member of the Hitler Youth. Yes, I know that doesn't automatically make him a Nazi, but regardless of the truth, it makes him, and by extension the Catholic Church, look bad. If they'd have picked someone whose history looked more palatable, it'd have helped the PR of the church, which is always useful.

Sure, maybe not. Why he was made the pope, I cannot say as I am not nowhere near an expert on any inner workings of the modern religions simply due to mostly lack of interest.
However, I'm not sure how much a pope with a better history PR -wise would have helped them. As the catholic churches stances on things like birth control and such is relatively "archaic" when viewed from the viewpoint of the modern world, I figure it is the threshold that is keeping most converts out as it doesn't seem too enticing to them.
Of course I could be wrong, but I'd guess most people are born as catholics instead of converting to it later (when compared to the relative numbers of converts in other religions) in life due to the moral values that need to be instilled into a person before they see the catholic church as something they'd want to be a part of.

But like I said, I'm no expert. If you got any concrete information on the matter, please share! Now that I started thinking about it, it got me wondering.

Wonder if the new guy will incite any positive change of any sort. I'm not counting on it, but the thought of it occurring is a nice one to entertain.

It sure is an interesting thought, but like I said before, I think the pope doesn't really have any control over the church's stands on policies.
Of course, it'd be a different matter if a young (compared to most popes) charismatic idealist became the pope; if he'd be active in the public, he could affect the views of the public and that way possibly change the church from the inside. But yeah, probably not going to happen.

 

[lechat]

damn didn't know retirement was an option although i'll admit i am a bit naive on the traditions of the catholic church. any catlicks want to fill us in on anything important?

brief research shows that the popes role as presented in Matthew Ch 16 is to build heaven's kingdom on earth so that the churches actions here on earth will reflect their reward in heaven. the pope is elected by what is basically a bunch of church elders

 

[Basement Cat]

Eclectic mystic here. Not a Catholic but I once read a book that delved into papal authority.

Popes have the option to retire from power. It's always been a part of the Catholic tradition that priests and nuns can retire from positions of authority and spend the rest of their lives quietly in a monastery or some where. Given how old the Catholic church is they had to come to grips with 'retirement benefits' centuries before the rest of the world.

I'm not surprised by this but I'm pleased that Benedict has the courage to resign and leave his Church in the hands of a younger and/or healthier successor. The reason that most popes stayed in office until they died was due to the fact that most of them DIED while in office--throughout history limited medical knowledge led to quick deaths even for those who lived long lives. This sets a modern precedent that will become increasingly necessary as modern day medicine extends peoples' lives.

 

[Basement Cat]

However, I'm not sure how much a pope with a better history PR -wise would have helped them. As the catholic churches stances on things like birth control and such is relatively "archaic" when viewed from the viewpoint of the modern world, I figure it is the threshold that is keeping most converts out as it doesn't seem too enticing to them.
Of course I could be wrong, but I'd guess most people are born as catholics instead of converting to it later (when compared to the relative numbers of converts in other religions) in life due to the moral values that need to be instilled into a person before they see the catholic church as something they'd want to be a part of.

The reason the Catholic church is doing so well in Africa and South America is because it's "archaic" ideals fit hand in hand with the more tribal ideals and attitudes of local peoples. The Catholic church's main influx of new believers is from the southern hemisphere. And they tend to be VERY dedicated converts. I read in an news article that criticized the Church's teachings in Africa that the 'homophobic' teachings of the church, for example, are taken as 'common sense' rather than 'politically incorrect'.

Wonder if the new guy will incite any positive change of any sort. I'm not counting on it, but the thought of it occurring is a nice one to entertain.

It sure is an interesting thought, but like I said before, I think the pope doesn't really have any control over the church's stands on policies.
Of course, it'd be a different matter if a young (compared to most popes) charismatic idealist became the pope; if he'd be active in the public, he could affect the views of the public and that way possibly change the church from the inside. But yeah, probably not going to happen.

The pope is the church. He dictates, and I do mean DICTATES the church's official policy. The church has traditions and habits (no pun intended) but the office of the pope is a very real dictatorship. And never forget that the pope IS a recognized head of state.

Yeah, this is that kind of a big thing.

However much I differ in so many ways from the Roman Catholic Church's teachings and beliefs I respect the Church for its longevity: The Roman Catholic Church has existed and functioned for the better part of 2000 years. That places it into some very, very rare company as far as human organizations go. Studying its history is a study of how the human race has changed over the last 2000 years: Both how it has changed the world and how the world has changed it.

 

[OniaPL]

However, I'm not sure how much a pope with a better history PR -wise would have helped them. As the catholic churches stances on things like birth control and such is relatively "archaic" when viewed from the viewpoint of the modern world, I figure it is the threshold that is keeping most converts out as it doesn't seem too enticing to them.
Of course I could be wrong, but I'd guess most people are born as catholics instead of converting to it later (when compared to the relative numbers of converts in other religions) in life due to the moral values that need to be instilled into a person before they see the catholic church as something they'd want to be a part of.

The reason the Catholic church is doing so well in Africa and South America is because it's "archaic" ideals fit hand in hand with the more tribal ideals and attitudes of local peoples. The Catholic church's main influx of new believers is from the southern hemisphere. And they tend to be VERY dedicated converts. I read in an news article that criticized the Church's teachings in Africa that the 'homophobic' teachings of the church, for example, are taken as 'common sense' rather than 'politically incorrect'.

Of course... I completely disregarded Africa. I knew the Catholic Church was big in South America, but didn't really think how their views mesh up so well with the views around those parts in general.

It sure is an interesting thought, but like I said before, I think the pope doesn't really have any control over the church's stands on policies.
Of course, it'd be a different matter if a young (compared to most popes) charismatic idealist became the pope; if he'd be active in the public, he could affect the views of the public and that way possibly change the church from the inside. But yeah, probably not going to happen.

The pope is the church. He dictates, and I do mean DICTATES the church's official policy. The church has traditions and habits (no pun intended) but the office of the pope is a very real dictatorship. And never forget that the pope IS a recognized head of state.

Yeah, this is that kind of a big thing.

However much I differ in so many ways from the Roman Catholic Church's teachings and believes I respect the Church for its longevity: The Roman Catholic Church has existed and functioned for the better part of 2000 years. That places it into some very, very rare company as far as human organizations go. Studying its history is a study of how the human race has changed over the last 2000 years: Both how it has changed the world and how the world has changed it.

Are you sure about this? I can't help but doubt this; While the pope is the member of the holy see, isn't it the holy see who makes most these decisions rather than the pope as a "dictator"? At least I always figured that the cardinals/holy see had the primary power while the Pope acts as the representative. Of course the church would like to claim that the pope has power.

 

[Sixcess]

Considering the physical appearance of the current Pope, I was actually EXPECTING the Catholic Church to try and pull a "Golden Throne".

Wrong Emperor, and clearly Benedict is not strong enough in the dark side.

The next Pope should be Christopher Lee, Cthulhu or the ghost of Andy Warhol.

 

[BrotherRool]

This Pope did some pretty cool un-ordinary things, first Pope to positively mention the Big Bang in a sermon and there were a couple of other surprisingly liberal moves (when you look into it, the Catholic church is beating out the heart of conservative christian US pretty handily on all sorts of topics, the church embraced evolution decades ago).

So I take this as another cool decision to be honest, there's something to be said for having Pope's healthy enough to deal with the lifestyle and responsibility and it's good to have the grace to step down from power, especially since it's against the trend

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Considering the physical appearance of the current Pope, I was actually EXPECTING the Catholic Church to try and pull a "Golden Throne".

Wrong Emperor, and clearly Benedict is not strong enough in the dark side.

The next Pope should be Christopher Lee, Cthulhu or the ghost of Andy Warhol.

I would love to see Christopher show up in full Saruman garb on a Vatican balcony

 

[xmbts]

I feel like this might be R&P material but whatever~

I'm not really a devout anything so I don't have much of an opinion, but I feel like it was more being sick of dealing with some specific issues then age or illness. But that's just me.