Pope Benedict to resign on the 28th February....

[Cosimo]

"1109: The Pope says his strength is no longer adequate to continue in office, in a statement reported by Reuters news agency."

According to the BBC Live Text thingy... It's quite possible it is a health issue then? Or scandal... drammaaaa.

I would expect to be health issues.

 

[Zbornak]

I thought they were meant to die in their post, no matter how old they were? Sort of like Bruce Forsyth.

 

[Usher]

Waits for : Pope to be arrested in Jimmy Saville investigations

 

[the_r_sole]

he was only appointed to cover up the child abuse scandal, that photo of him and jimmy saville has cost him!

 

[Usher]

Someone on the wireless suggesting he has early onset of Parkinson's disease. I reckon it's scandal.

Wireless there's an antiquated word

 

[Robbo]

Most likely a health thing, odd though.

 

[Maccy]

Harry Redknapp "flattered to be linked" to Vatican job.

Lulz.

Also reports that he had undeclared tax payments linked to a French bank account in his dog's name...

 

[POB]

I have obtained pictures of the next pope.

 

[Usher]

I have obtained pictures of the next pope.

 

[Flibster]

We've had 2 Pope John Pauls

Really hoping the next one chooses the name Pope George Ringo, just for a bit of balance.

 

[Cosimo]

I thought they were meant to die in their post, no matter how old they were? Sort of like Bruce Forsyth.

It appears that:

The ability of a pope to resign was made official by Pope Boniface VIII who placed by decree into canon law:

“Our predecessor, Pope Celestine V, whilst he governed the Church, constituted and decreed that the Roman Pontiff can freely resign. Therefore lest it happen that this statute should in the course of time fall into oblivion, or that doubt upon the subject should lead to further disputes, We have determined with the counsel of our brethren that it be placed among other constitutions for a perpetual memory of the same.”

If a pope wishes to resign today, there are official steps that can be taken. According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law (Canon 332.2), “If it should so happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that he makes the resignation freely and that it be duly manifested, but not that it be accepted by anyone.”

 

[hola_adios]

Finally realised about the incompatibility between being a Pope, being one of Hitler's youths and defending every pedophile priest ... oh, and a few financial scandals. And what is to come I imagine.

 

[Kamwah]

Church of Fonz is in session.

 

[King Damager]

I suspect it's an illness.

kd

 

[Belly]

We've had 2 Pope John Pauls

Really hoping the next one chooses the name Pope George Ringo, just for a bit of balance.

Why NOT John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin?

Better still Richard Dawkins!

 

[Inquizitor]

JJ Abrams said to be "in negotiations to head up the franchise" after Pope Benedict resigns.

 

[mmj_uk]

My guess is alzheimer's.

 

[doodah]

"Pope resigns and becomes my favourite breakfast: Ex-benedict!"

 

[TommyV]

Where can I apply for the role?

 

[Belly]

My guess is alzheimer's.

Al Zheimer, sounds like another German to me