Updated at 10:50 a.m. ET: ROME -- Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday he will step aside as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics on Feb. 28, saying he no longer has the strength to carry out his duties.
Speaking in Latin, the 85-year-old announced his decision during an address at the "Concistory for the canonization of the martyrs of Otranto", a small event held early in the morning.

The decision makes him the first pope to resign since the Middle Ages.

His statement was posted on the Vatican Radio website. Carrying out the duties of being pope required "both strength of mind and body," it said.



http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/11/16924342-pope-benedict-xvi-to-step-aside-on-feb-28?lite

Perhaps the new Pope will be from Africa...and GLBT friendly...like Jesus!

Wow... 

Hopefully the next one will be more progressive-minded.

I get tearful over a lot of things. But this isn't one of those moments.

Quote from: peky on February 11, 2013, 11:34:01 AM
Perhaps the new Pope will be from Africa...and GLBT friendly...like Jesus!

Amen to that! I really don't care as long as the new Pope is GLBT friendly.

We shall see, but I am not holding my breath for a more compassionate Pope.

Kia Ora,

Well, call me sceptical, but I'm waiting for another gigantic scandal to hit the fan...Pope resigns ! What's the 'real' reason behind it ?

Metta Zenda

Quote from: Ms. OBrien VT on February 11, 2013, 12:15:12 PM
We shall see, but I am not holding my breath for a more compassionate Pope.

This.  The majority of cardinals that are going to be up for election are not going to be LGBT+ friendly.  Many of these people were raised in a time when being a part of the LGBT+ group was unacceptable and the majority of the teachings of the Catholic Church** are not LGBT+ friendly.  Because of these two factors, chances are against the next Pope being LGBT+ friendly.

I wish that the new Pope was going to be LGBT+ friendly, but I don't believe it's going to happen.

**Just because Jesus supposedly was a good man doesn't mean his teachings made it further than the 2nd century.

One that is less actively anti would be pretty nice.  Wishful thinking maybe. maybe.

Quote from: Zenda on February 11, 2013, 12:25:16 PM
Kia Ora,

Well, call me sceptical, but I'm waiting for another gigantic scandal to hit the fan...Pope resigns ! What's the 'real' reason behind it ?

Metta Zenda

It's because she finally figured out that she needs to transition and become a nun 

Sorry to the Catholics, I didn't mean to offend. 

Whatever. Aren't all popes pretty much the same anyway?

Neither am I Janet.

This was the same guy who declared Liberation Theology to be Marxist!

Being a renegade Catholic since my teens I could give a rip less as he has absolutely no control whatsoever over my life or how I choose to live it.

Sinead O'Connor who went on her site and congratulated Pope Eggs Benedict for quitting his job.

I would like to congratulate Pope Benedict on his wise decision to retire before the very worst of what has been going on is discovered. I appreciate his alluding to some of it in his statement and assure him The Most High forgives those who can faithfully say they did wrong.
The church had been brought into dreadful disrepute by lies and blasphemies against The Holy Spirit. Benedict's greatest achievement is this act of retiring. There is a chance now for the church to be re-built and made fit to house The Holy Spirit.


www.dlisted.com/.../sinead-oconnors-thoughts-pope-quitting-bitch

Hi Peky.  I'm curious, are you aware that Benedict has been directing an "inquisition" against American nuns for around 2 year now?  Many of the sisters believe that this unconscionable action has been little more than a smoke screen to direct general attention away from Benedict's own failings.  Quiet chatter among the sisters this afternoon in the hallways where I work seems to resonate with a sense of relief to see him go.  If the sisters that I work for are any indication, there are Catholics all over the world breathing a sigh of relief on this momentous day.

Miharu

Lets be careful in how you respond to this thread.  We are not here to be rude.

Quote from: Miharu Barbie on February 11, 2013, 03:33:29 PM
Hi Peky.  I'm curious, are you aware that Benedict has been directing an "inquisition" against American nuns for around 2 year now?  Many of the sisters believe that this unconscionable action has been little more than a smoke screen to direct general attention away from Benedict's own failings.  Quiet chatter among the sisters this afternoon in the hallways where I work seems to resonate with a sense of relief to see him go.  If the sisters that I work for are any indication, there are Catholics all over the world breathing a sigh of relief on this momentous day.

Miharu

I just heard that the true reason why he is quiting the papacy is because.....

Locked!

Why would he give up that swanky house and the Pope-mobile?