All Catholics where blind sided by the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on Monday. Never in the church's 600 year history has a pope retired before his death. His official statement pointed to this being decision being carried out due to his age and limited physical abilities for him to continue his papal duties. When Pope John Paul II passed away in 2005 he was 84 years old, Pope Benedict is currently 85 years old.
It is therefore understandable, that we can expect his age beginning to interfere ad hinder him to perform his duties. Most people have accepted this as the natural cause for his resignation. However, there are a few out there who have questions. After all we live in a world of social media and live TV news broadcasts.
Some of the questions that are coming up include the current health of the holy father. The Vatican has recently released information that he fell in Mexico on his trip in 2012 and also that he has a pacemaker which had a new battery installed within the last year.
The Pope's brother also told the British press, that his brother had been cautioned against taking transatlantic flights by his doctor. This means that as a pope, he would not be able to visit any countries in Asia or the Americas. Clearly this is something that restricts his full duties.
Major United States based cable news network CNN has also brought to the forefront some other issues that may have contributed to the pope resigning. There is the ongoing child sex abuse allegations in the church and the Vatican Bank being investigated for not being in compliance with EU money laundering laws. There was also the incidence of documents being stolen from Pope Benedict's desk by his butler who went on to leak them to journalists.
Clearly there is a lot there is going on around the Pope, that can become overwhelming for a man his age. He maybe breaking a 600 year old tradition, but he says he has prayed and asked God's guidance in making the right decisions. Regardless, of the circumstances surrounding his resignation, it feels like it was the right thing for him to do. May the grace of the lord be with him, for the rest of his days.
Some of the questions that are coming up include the current health of the holy father. The Vatican has recently released information that he fell in Mexico on his trip in 2012 and also that he has a pacemaker which had a new battery installed within the last year.
The Pope's brother also told the British press, that his brother had been cautioned against taking transatlantic flights by his doctor. This means that as a pope, he would not be able to visit any countries in Asia or the Americas. Clearly this is something that restricts his full duties.
Major United States based cable news network CNN has also brought to the forefront some other issues that may have contributed to the pope resigning. There is the ongoing child sex abuse allegations in the church and the Vatican Bank being investigated for not being in compliance with EU money laundering laws. There was also the incidence of documents being stolen from Pope Benedict's desk by his butler who went on to leak them to journalists.
Clearly there is a lot there is going on around the Pope, that can become overwhelming for a man his age. He maybe breaking a 600 year old tradition, but he says he has prayed and asked God's guidance in making the right decisions. Regardless, of the circumstances surrounding his resignation, it feels like it was the right thing for him to do. May the grace of the lord be with him, for the rest of his days.
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