<p>John Allen on CNN said that at the Vatican press briefing they were told that on Feb. 28th after the resignation takes effect, the former Pope will go to Castel Gondolfo for a while and afterward retire to a monastery within the Vatican to spend the remainder of his life in prayer. The conclave will take place in mid March.</p>
<p>I hope some American at least makes the Bracket this time :). D is advocating for someone younger.</p>
<p>Doubt that the future pope will be an American. I’m thinking it’s going to be a cardinal from Africa. We may have our first Black pope!</p>
<p>Oh, this is huge (esp for those of us in Catholic higher ed). In fact, I emailed my old boss, who happens to be a sister and very interested in church politics, this morning and asked her if she thought Ratzinger was resigning, in part, so he would have influence over the choice of a successor and guarantee his vision would be carried out. He’s a very conservative pope. He has made some decisions which have had a direct impact on Catholic higher ed (although most involves hiring of theology department faculty). We’ll see . . .</p>
<p>Any influence the current Pope has on electing his successor will be behind the scenes at best. He will no longer be a cardinal and even if he were, he could not vote in conclave as he is older than 80. Apparently the Vatican is suggesting that his new title will be something like “emeritus Bishop of Rome.”</p>
<p>My son is a seminarian studying in Rome right now. I can’t wait to touch base with him. I respect Pope Benedict’s decision and I pray for the cardinal who will take his place.</p>
<p>Of course it’ll be behind the scenes! Publically, he’ll need to issue a statement that he plans to stay out of the process entirely. However, we know that someone who rises to the rank of Pope has to be a very political animal. Hard to just give that up and walk away.</p>
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<p>I do not think that this is true. For an image, just think about the massive interest the Pope generates when traveling to a foreign country, or simply speaking in Rome. I do not think there is a single person in the world who is more followed and revered than the Pope. </p>
<p>Well, perhaps, with the exception of the leaders of Apple! ;)</p>
<p>she thought Ratzinger was resigning, in part, so he would have influence over the choice of a successor</p>
<p>not likelyl He and JPII already loaded up the college of cardinals with the people that they believe best understand the teachings of the Church. Benedict doesn’t have to be alive to have influenced the conclave. </p>
<p>I suspect that the next pope will be younger (but not young), and will be from Africa.</p>
<p>Xiggi, you must have missed the “I know” in my sentence. Meaning, me personally in my life. I didn’t say Catholics in general.</p>
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<p>very true…</p>
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<p>Not so hard if your health is rapidly going south. I think it’s significant that he’s resigning before Easter, an occasion on which the pope has active public roles. He may not be up to a pope’s Easter duties.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids–very possibly. I’m going to bet also that the next Pope will NOT be from the US–we are just way too liberal…</p>
<p>In theory, any baptized male Catholic can be elected pope. My husband is already campaigning! Don’t know what he’ll do about the “married” part - but I don’t think I’ll be nervous just yet. Current church law says he must become a bishop before taking office, and since I don’t think our Archibishop is going to ordain my H in the next 3 weeks, I can breathe a sigh of relief! :-)</p>
<p>I respect his decision and look forward to whoever comes next! JPII was a tough act to follow. I’m hoping we’ll get somebody with his (JP’s) charisma, and maybe someone who will guide the church forward.</p>
<p>In all seriousness, though, it does make one wonder whether the Pope hasn’t received news about his upcoming health/mental acuity that would make him want to retire now -while he still has the ability to make an informed decision.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>He lived thru the very sick months/years of JPII. He saw the “death watch” that went on during the last weeks of JPII’s life. He probably wants to avoid all that.</p>
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<p>Indeed, I did. But then, I thought you knew more people. More people as in hundreds of millions of Catholics. :)</p>
<p>I think he realized that mentally and physically he just couldn’t do it anymore and unlike JPll who was mentally sharp but not physically, he knew he couldn’t follow suit. He said John Paul was an inspiration but I feel he has issues that at his age would make it impossible to continue, especially during Lent/Easter.</p>
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<p>Okay, the image is pretty funny, the retired Pope being a religion commentator on cnn.</p>
<p>Interesting to read about the last Pope to resign, the whole two Popes thing.</p>