Ok I'll talk about this.

[Classicblast]

Pope Benedict has announced his retirement. He is the first pope to resign since 1415 when Pope Gregory resigned under pressure and the first to voluntarily resign/retire since 1294.

Is it wrong for him to retire? I don't think so. He's not doing it because of scandal for for anything bad, he just feels he is too old and his health is not strong enough for the responsibility of that position. He is just a man after all and he is 86 years old.

Baseball managers don't work at that age, we've never had a President that old, and except for Strum Thurmond and Bob Byrd not many congress people have been that age to serve either.

So why is the Pope expected to hold onto the job until he dies? Especially when the Church's responsibility is a world wide concern.

I used samples of a President of a country, a congressional state regional situation or a baseball team and none of what covers the Pope's territory. He has the right to retire. And have a strong suggestion of his successor and he can see that the transition is smooth, too. Not just find a replacement after he has already died.

[Beangirl]

He has a right to step down if his health is fragile, I don't know much about the Catholic Church but it seams reasonable.

[Phil]

I am with you Classic. I see there's a lot of I hate to say controversy but I don't know what else to say. Mention I guess that the pope is retiring or resigning whichever. I guess after 600 years of a tradition that the pope dies in office it was just expected that this pope would do the same.

This is 1 thing I can say this is the 21st century and methods like this are subject to change. I can see this more than some other things people say the Catholic church should change its views on.

I see nothing wrong with the pope's decision.

I remember when I was about 7, Pope Paul died, and John Paul I took the name of John and Paul the last 2 popes both of whom he had met. Some questioned if that was the right thing if it was proper practice but that set a new precedent. He died suddenly only a few months into papal office and then John Paul II followed his example. Then of course Benedict took over 8 years ago when John Paul II died.

I have wondered about pope's resigning, I never read this before but the press is talking about how long its been, I grew up wondering if there was a code that he can't retire. I see it's not a rule but it's been a tradition to hold the job for life. Benedict sets a new precedent since the last resignation of a pope was not good circumstances.

[Classicblast]

I think its very likely that Popes should have retired in past days but wouldn't because they felt it was their sward duty to remain in that position til death. But our Popes are men, they get old ill and become unable to perform duties of the job. The Pope is not God and is not immortal.

[Phil]

I think if I have time to make a video this weel that's something I'd talk about.

[Kimm]

The thing that bothers me the most is theres groups trying to accuse him of scandal. If theyre going to accuse him of that put their reputation where their mouth is or shut their mouth.

[Phil]

Feb 20, 2013 17:48:04 GMT -5 Kimm said:

The thing that bothers me the most is theres groups trying to accuse him of scandal. If theyre going to accuse him of that put their reputation where their mouth is or shut their mouth.

I haven't heard of that. That's terrible. But if the proof isn't defining it will fade out.

I do think Benedict is a good Pope. I also note that Benedict is a little older than John Paul II was when he died. Meaning that the last pope didn't reach this Pope's age but a large body of the population says it's wrong for him to retire.

[Kimm]

Pope Francis 1 from Argentina becomes the new Pontiff. The first Pope from the Western or Southern hemisphere and probably the first not from Europe but I am not certain about that. I am pretty sure though.

I hope he does well.

[Beangirl]

I saw the white smoke on CNN this morning. God bless the new Pope.

[Phil]

I am excited to have a Pope from our half of the world. I think he will do great.