Quote: musiclady wrote in post #15

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Since there is no recent precedent, what will they do to replace him?

This is sad news.

And I am not a Catholic.

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So it will be done in the same manner as he was chosen? I assumed that, but didn't know if there might be a difference between the death of a Pope and a resignation.

I guess it might have been a dumb question......

a new Pope will be elected by the Cardinals who meet in secret. a two-thrids majority plus one is needed.

the only signal of a newly elected Pope will be the traditional puff of white smoke of the burning ballots

from the chimney of the conclave room in the Sistine Chapel.

they mix flax with the ballots to indicate a failed vote and that results in black smoke.

no I'm not a Catholic. I just looked it up. I hope this is correct. :)

Quote: Palinista wrote in post #16

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Quote: musiclady wrote in post #15

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Since there is no recent precedent, what will they do to replace him?

This is sad news.

And I am not a Catholic.

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The Cardinals will form their conclave, deliberate and vote to elect who replaces Pope Benedict.

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Quote: musiclady wrote in post #17

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So it will be done in the same manner as he was chosen? I assumed that, but didn't know if there might be a difference between the death of a Pope and a resignation.

I guess it might have been a dumb question......

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Wise decision for him.

Will that make it more diffifcult for the new Pope to have a living former Pope living in the Vatican?

Quote: musiclady wrote in post #20

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Wise decision for him.

Will that make it more diffifcult for the new Pope to have a living former Pope living in the Vatican?

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Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued this statement moments after learning of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2013.

Statement of Cardinal Timothy Dolan

The Holy Father brought the tender heart of a pastor, the incisive mind of a scholar and the confidence of a soul united with His God in all he did. His resignation is but another sign of his great care for the Church. We are sad that he will be resigning but grateful for his eight years of selfless leadership as successor of St. Peter.

Though 78 when he elected pope in 2005, he set out to meet his people – and they were of all faiths – all over the world. He visited the religiously threatened – Jews, Muslims and Christians in the war-torn Middle East, the desperately poor in Africa, and the world’s youth gathered to meet him in Australia, Germany, and Spain.

He delighted our beloved United States of America when he visited Washington and New York in 2008. As a favored statesman he greeted notables at the White House. As a spiritual leader he led the Catholic community in prayer at Nationals Park, Yankee Stadium and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. As a pastor feeling pain in a stirring, private meeting at the Vatican nunciature in Washington, he brought a listening heart to victims of sexual abuse by clerics.

Pope Benedict often cited the significance of eternal truths and he warned of a dictatorship of relativism. Some values, such as human life, stand out above all others, he taught again and again. It is a message for eternity.

He unified Catholics and reached out to schismatic groups in hopes of drawing them back to the church. More unites us than divides us, he said by word and deed. That message is for eternity.

He spoke for the world’s poor when he visited them and wrote of equality among nations in his peace messages and encyclicals. He pleaded for a more equitable share of world resources and for a respect for God’s creation in nature.

Those who met him, heard him speak and read his clear, profound writings found themselves moved and changed. In all he said and did he urged people everywhere to know and have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.

The occasion of his resignation stands as an important moment in our lives as citizens of the world. Our experience impels us to thank God for the gift of Pope Benedict. Our hope impels us to pray that the College of Cardinals under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit choose a worthy successor to meet the challenges present in today’s world.


http://www.usccb.org/news/2013/13-038.cfm

Press release from Americans United for Life........

AUL Honors Pope Benedict XVI for Defense of Unborn and Protection of Conscience Rights

“Pope Benedict XVI has powerfully defended the unborn and protected rights of conscience during his papacy. This legacy will be remembered not only by those in the pro-life movement, but by all who honor the human person as unique and worthy of protection” noted AUL’s Dr. Charmaine Yoest.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (02-11-13) Today, Pope Benedict XVI announced his forthcoming resignation from the Holy See, stating, “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”

Americans United for Life President and CEO, Dr. Charmaine Yoest honored the Pope’s contribution to building the culture of life, commenting, “Pope Benedict XVI throughout his life has consistently taught the modern world that genuine progress for humankind cannot take place without a renewed and radical commitment to the dignity of each human life. The Pope’s contribution to defending the unborn and his support of rights of conscience transcend any particular religion and creed because these are basic human rights.”

The Pope advanced understanding of the importance of a defense of life to society. Writing in the papal encyclical Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth), he said: 'Openness to life is at the center of true development. When a society moves towards the denial or suppression of life, it ends up no longer finding the necessary motivation and energy to strive for man's true good. If personal and social sensitivity towards the acceptance of a new life is lost, then other forms of acceptance that are valuable for society also wither away. The acceptance of life strengthens moral fiber and makes people capable of mutual help.'

Following the death of Pope John Paul II, the College of Cardinals elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope in 2005, who then took the name of Pope Benedict XVI. His legacy has been one which emphasized the issue of life and exhorted the Church to love. He stated, "Nothing we do to defend the human person, no matter how small, is ever unfruitful or forgotten. Our actions touch other lives and move other hearts in ways we can never fully understand in this world.”

Yoest added: “We are saddened that the Pontiff's declining health has led to his conscientious decision to resign his ministry as Bishop of Rome. He has been a source of inspiration to men and women of good will around the world."

Pope Benedict has been an inspiration to the pro-life movement. I pray that he will continue to be able to do so in spite of his declining health

Quote: musiclady wrote in post #23

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Press release from Americans United for Life........

AUL Honors Pope Benedict XVI for Defense of Unborn and Protection of Conscience Rights

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Quote: Palinista wrote in post #24

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Quote: musiclady wrote in post #23

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Press release from Americans United for Life........

AUL Honors Pope Benedict XVI for Defense of Unborn and Protection of Conscience Rights

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Thank you for posting.

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Quote: musiclady wrote in post #15

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Since there is no recent precedent, what will they do to replace him?

This is sad news.

And I am not a Catholic.

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Just In: Pope Benedict to Resign, Obama to be Elected Pope.

There will be a convention of the Cardinals as if the Pope had passed. Only this time there will not be an appropriate time of mourning.

The Vatican hopes to have this remedied before Lent.
Benedict has had numerous health problems over the years from strokes to arthritis. He has been struggling to maintain his presence as of late and tires easily.
This was a noble thing for him to have done. It gives the Cardinals an opportunity to elect a younger leader and continue the work started by Benedict to eradicate abusive priests.

Quote: Mechanicos wrote in post #27

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Just In: Pope Benedict to Resign, Obama to be Elected Pope.

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I am catholic...my opinion is, instead of choosing a man that has one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel, they should choose someone younger. This way..the man will be able to keep up and not be disabled or senile within a few years.

This Pope did the right thing. God bless him.