Pope Benedict XVI leaves after the mass in St. Peter's Basilica to mark the 900th anniversary of the Order of the Knights of Malta, on February 9, 2013 at the Vatican.
(Andreas Solaro/Getty)
Pope Benedict XVI will resign at the end of the month. He's the first pope to do so since Gregory the XII in 1415. Elected in 2005, Pope Benedict followed in the footsteps of his mentor, John Paul II, and he inherited a church marred by scandal.
Joining us for more from Rome is Robert Mickens, Rome correspondent for The Tablet, an international Catholic weekly. Sister Simone Campbell led the Nuns on the Bus tour and was one of the breakout stars of last year's Democratic National Convention.
Defining Normal After a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia, The Mayor of Oklahoma City, A New Kind of Commencement Speech
Defining Normal After a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia
The DSM and Mental Health in America
Devastating Tornado in Oklahoma City, What James Rosen Case Says About Freedom of the Press, Syrian Conflict Deepens
Why We Stay When We Know We Should Leave
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
Major funding provided by:
Comments [5]
Just wanted to mention, in response to the off-hand mention of "maybe there'll be the first African pope", that there have been African popes previously in history.
So?
This pope and his predecessor Pope John Paul have chosen ALL possible successors. Chosen for their comparable views on the Church, the role
of the Papacy and its place in the world and of its members.
Whatever comes from his resignation and his successor, for the vast majority of Catholics it will mean more of the same.
Reassuring for some. Aggravating for others.
Just another day in the life of an intractable institution dead set on preserving and defending its power and place in the world against all threats real, imagined, and manufactured.
Such a refreshing change. Not.
Teach love not fear--suggested Sister Campbell.
the pope just needs a roman holiday...
We love the pope, a sad day, many are crying. But his physical strength has been declining, trouble walking, and as he said, the pope needs to be fit mentally and physically to address the fast-moving issues of the world today. There isn't time for delay.
A wonderful pontificate - three enyclicals (one on love, one on hope, one on faith) at least, a three part biography of Jesus, restored the Latin Mass. Set up the Anglican Ordinariate, a big success, and a template for future ordinariates. Courageously spoke the truth on the issues of the time. Traveled around the world to strengthen the church, including at World Youth days. And worked since 2001 to cleanse the church of pedophile priests, which has largely been done. He is so brilliant.
Ad multos annos!
When the most powerful person in the world resigns, it's news. And it shows that the papacy isn't about power, but about service. As Pope Benedict said at his election, 'I am just a humble servant working in the vineyard of the Lord'.
Some think the new pope might change doctrine. He can't. It isn't his church, it is the church of Jesus Christ, and the pope hands on the teaching that has been handed on to him, from the apostles, which came from Jesus Christ, and is maintained in the Church by the Holy Spirit and the Jesus himself.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.