Media say Pope may resign in April

Vatican Insider ^ | September 25, 2011 | ANDREA TORNIELLI

[markomalley]

Antonio Socci's blog, Lo Straniero, has a couple of postings on it that could be of interest (in Italian):

• Dimissioni del Papa… Preghiamo che Dio ce lo conservi a lungo (Resignation of the Pope ... We pray that God preserve him for a long time)
• Dimissioni del Papa 2. Le ragioni della sua sofferenza e ciò che bisogna fare (Pope's resignation 2. The reasons for his suffering and what to do)

Both these two seem to follow on Socci's article in Il Libero, La tentazione: se il Papa pensa alle dimissioni (teaser at the link).

The blog entries both talk about the intense pressures that are on the Holy Father. The first also resurfaces the hypothetical discussion attributed to him in Light of the World. It seems that the whole issue revolves around some comments made recently by his brother, Georg, who mentioned this passage from Seewald's interview.

[ADSUM]

The Holy Spirit will continue to protect Pope Benedict XVI.

Let us offer our prayers.

[Tax-chick]

These are wishful thinking articles on the part of the anti-Catholic media.

Bingo.

[Bulwyf]

the pope is the very essence of fallible. Only God can be perfect, and blameless and not deceive.

[Salvation]

We all need to be praying for Pope Benedict XVI.

Continue to Pray for Pope Benedict [Ecumenical]

[SuziQ]

I’m sure the libs would love this! They can’t stand the man!

[Campion]

"Papal infallibility" implies only that the Pope can teach without doctrinal error under certain narrowly defined conditions, which don't obtain in the normal daily exercise of his office.

It's not a claim that he's either "perfect" or "blameless". He goes to confession quite regularly (the last Pope confessed his sins weekly; I assume this one does as well), so he knows very well that he's a sinner in need of God's grace like the rest of us.

[Campion]

Can a Pope be removed from office due to a medical condition that prevents him from doing his duties?

He can't "be removed" by any human authority, though his advisors would probably try to encourage him to consider resignation under those circumstances.

The Church can limp along for awhile without a functioning Pope if she has to. Crises don't get attended to, and bishops aren't appointed to fill vacant sees, but everything else continues to function.

[SumProVita]

“For us, as catholics, it was agonizing to watch him deteriorate but we recognized this as his personal witness to God’s gift of life. Even on his journey towards death, he continued to instruct us on the value of life.

I have no doubt that a pope who believes he can no longer perform the responsibilities of his elected office, will make the right decision, even if it entails reisgning (see my post #32).”

I very much agree with this...and hope that we are all praying regularly for the Pope.

[SumProVita]

“It’s not a claim that he’s either “perfect” or “blameless”. He goes to confession quite regularly (the last Pope confessed his sins weekly; I assume this one does as well), so he knows very well that he’s a sinner in need of God’s grace like the rest of us.”

Both of these popes have been excellent examples in this regard for the rest of us. May God inspire all of our bishops to do likewise.

[Dominick]

the pope is the very essence of fallible. Only God can be perfect, and blameless and not deceive.

This is why we use Catholic Caucus. Catholics understand infallible in the light of the Church teaching, others may think we claim the Pope can take Calculus tests and make 100% every time.

[Phlap]

Let me amend that. Real Popes don't resign. They die. lol

[frogjerk]

They were real Popes in the legal, spiritual and cannonical sense but they had their failings, some much more than others (Alexander VI). Although, St. Celestine V was canonized.