POPE BENEDICT’S Announcement That he would resign the Office of the
Papacy..sent shock waves throughout Religions of the world...which also
had cultural, material, political, economic & social concerns....among a
great many people....& places.
HIS RESIGNATION on Feb 13, 2013 was effective at 8:00 PM (20:00 Hrs)
this date. He was the first Pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII....600
Years ago in 1415 AD. Father Lombardi, Papal Secretary of State, described
a few external changes: His Red Shoes are now Brown...a gift he received
on his State Visit to Mexico.
HE WILL NOT HAVE THE TITLE of Cardinal...& he will not be able to hold
any office in the new Curia. His Title will be:....”His Holiness Benedict XVI,
...Roman Pontiff Emeritus....or “Pope Emeritus.”
THE CARDINAL CARMALINGO Tarciscio Bertone destroyed the Ring of the
Fisherman...& the Lead Seal of his Pontificate. He will keep his white
Cassock without the Mozzetta...(Red Cap)..in retirement. Benedict took
up residence in the Papal Palace in the town of Castel Gondolfo where
Popes reside during the summer.
THE SWISS GUARDS serve as the Pope’s Body Guard which terminated
when his resignation came into effect. The Option for a Pope to resign
is written in the Code of Canon Law...which states that a Pope may step
down...as long as the decision is....”made freely...& is duly manifested.”
BENEDICT STATED that the reason for his Retirement was failing health
due to old age...& that he no longer has the strength...suited to adequate
exercise of the Petrine Ministry....& the good of the Church.
THERE ARE A NUMBER of “Conspiracy Theories”...citing other reasons for
resigning. Please remember theories are NOT factual....& continuous
speculation often encourages confusion.
“LONG LIVE THE POPE”
LATIN = VIVIS PAPA ITALIAN = VIVA iL PAPA
SPANISH = VIVA El PAPA FRENCH = VIVE La PAPE
GERMAN = Es Lebe der PAPST