i myself dont really care about this happening. but it's a pretty big religious thing actually and was kinda wondering why it wasn't here on the forum yet.
to see what others think about this. like, does someone think we could see this happening more often in the future. or is Pope Benedict XVI's just cheating it's way out of his duty that god gave him?

here is a article for those that somehow dunno yet. =S

lets here some thoughts. ^^

I'm not too sure what we're supposed to really talk about.

Old guy wants to retire before he dies on the job as every other pope did. Woohoo?

Though I have heard talk about some 'ancient prophecy' regarding the popes and the end of the world. The next media hype?

Old guy wants to retire before he dies on the job as every other pope did. Woohoo?

Actually the only pope who retired before was some centuries ago, Benedikt being the second pope to ever resign before death.

Heard about those ancient prophecies too. We're gonna hear more about it, or possibly even have books and movies made about it... *sigh*

Other conspiracists say he resigned because of some scandals smouldering behind the scenes. Probably this idea came from the VatiLeak thing..

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My opinion is: best thing he ever did in his career. I trust his reasons (old age, not fit for the job anymore) are correct to a big part, at least. I like the idea that he considers what is best for the church instead of clinging on his power position until he dies as a trembling cretin (sorry for the rude words, but former popes kind of validate the word choice...).

Though I have heard talk about some 'ancient prophecy' regarding the popes and the end of the world. The next media hype?

It certainly could be, since its something like the next pope is supposed to be the last one before the world ends.

Actually the only pope who retired before was some centuries ago, Benedikt being the second pope to ever resign before death.

Everything I've heard mentions one pope being forced into retirement about 5-600 years ago and another choosing to retire some 700 years ago.

Benedikt being the second pope to ever resign before death.

i heard somewhere he was the 6th.

Heard about those ancient prophecies too. We're gonna hear more about it, or possibly even have books and movies made about it... *sigh*

From the makers of 2012...

2013! Conspiracies surround the pope as he resigns, causing the world to end!

Actually the only pope who retired before was some centuries ago, Benedikt being the second pope to ever resign before death.

The last pope to retire voluntarily was in 1294.

Hopefully we have no-one alive that was there to witness that one as well

he needs to resigned, because of his illness ..

he needs to resigned, because of his illness ..

and Pope John Paul II wasn't ill?
he could barely say a word without anyone thinking he was having a stroke.

and Pope John Paul II wasn't ill?
he could barely say a word without anyone thinking he was having a stroke.

xian never said Paul wasn't ill. The last Pope would have needed to resign, too. But he didn't because he had the right to stay. Chavez was already quite ill when he ran for presidency again. He shouldn't have run and he shouldn't have accepted, yet he did. Same thing.