I thought it was an early April fools....but it seems to be genuine Pope Benedict XVI. is calling it quits. http://www.sullivanil.us/SYB/baseball.jpg I don't think there has been a Pope leaving the job alive since....ever....at least not in modern times...
In 600 years they reckon. Oh well. I'd love to be a fly on the wall to watch the Cardinals politicking, scheming and generally canvassing for support!
I want to be the next pope…I will reform a lot.... I am not Catholic, not religious, have a Buddhist living in my house, not in the Vatican and I'm married…so …what do you think my chances are
Popes don't just quit. I wonder if this is involved with all of the sex scandels? Didn't this Ratzinger help cover it up while part of the lower orders?
The television news programmes are rehashing his life and all those nice photos of him in the Hitler Youth are there again..... By all accounts though his health is very poor, perhaps rather than have him linger on then bumping him off (allegedly) they want someone younger and stronger in place now, probably an Italian too. He may want to stop flying his helicopter too, funnily enough this article was in one of Saturday's newspaper. http://www.independent.co.uk/voices...are-of-the-popes-medical-history-8483786.html
(In all fairness, at one point HJ was compulsory...) But hey, if you go down with the pope....you are sure to go straight up, no?
Had to read that bit several times, my eyes you know roflmao, thought it said something else! There may be some sighs of relief at his going by the chaps responsible for Vatican PR though. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...Popes-Hitler-Youth-past-says-the-Vatican.html
Now lady....you were linking the article of him flying whirly birds....and his mile long lists of health troubles....tsk tsk tsk.... (but seriously...he was barely adult when the war ended...o what he was in the HJ...not sure when it became mandatory...but you wre old enough, you went in. Especially toward the end, when just looking like you disagreed could earn you a quick lynch style hanging or an execution style introduction to firearms... But acting like it didn't happen is stupid....maybe he forgot...strokes can affect the memory, you know...)
I remember when he came to Sydney , what a joke that was. People waited for him on the streets for bloody hours , and when he finally did come out he flew past them at a million miles an hour in his pope mobile. Also if I remember correctly he was given the nickname here "Eggs" as in Eggs Benedict , get it. Well I thought it was pretty funny at the time.
I'm sure HBO's recent documentary, "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God", didn't do his health any good. Highly reccomend it by the way. Here's a review: http://www.theday.com/article/20130204/ENT13/302049987
Actually this was brought up when he was made Pope so covering it up, and the Vatican generally has no problems with cover-up, does not surprise me...it's silly...but not surprising Also when the war ended he was 17 ad although it was the Hitler youth I do not really think it should be an issue based on the period of history we are talking about and the things going on in Germany at that time. Could have been join or be shot or i could have been nationalistic pride.... don't know All we can do now is wait for the white smoke
"RT @Queen_UK Text from Prince Charles: "Pope Benedict XVI is standing down to give someone younger a chance at leading a Church. Just saying."
I know his health has been deteriorating, but I do wonder if the weight of the scandals plays a role also.123
