Pope Benedict XVI Resigns

THese men are getting along in years by the time they reach Popehood. And this one is in ill health as well. It is time they started stepping down. And if he doesn't feel he can do the job as it should be done then he should be given this option of stepping down. Dying in office is okay but is it to be done to the deficit of the office and the ill health of the appointed pope? I don't think so.

People think that he is doing it for health reasons. There had been Popes who also resigned in the past for health reasons. I mean, any leader, religious or political, cannot continue to be of active service if they have health issues. The Pope is already very old and I think he deserves a break, to live a normal life again with not much pressures.

It's pretty unusual for a Pope to resign, but I really can't claim to be too interested in the news.

As I see everyone was shocked even the Vatican. I'm not a catholic but I think that this is a praiseworthy decision. He says: "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering." It's obvious that the pope is aware of his health problems and he took a commendable decision. For me this means that he is a good man.

I have noticed his deterioration over the last couple of years. He has become very frail. My memory is that he was very robust when elected Pope. I think that he did the right thing. He is actually not resigning as much as he is retiring. He is 85 after all. I hope that after resigning or retiring, some of his health and energy might return and he might enjoy his later years after being Pope. Although I am not a Catholic, The Pope is a very powerful person who affects the whole world, just like our President. I follow what the Pope and the Catholic Church says or does.

Dear MandaLee I am a Catholic and I think his decision is a shame for the church. I doubted it anyways he is a good choice as a Pope when the cardinals elected him after John Paul II passed away. John Paul II really was a saint, leading the church in spite of his severe illness with Parkinsons Disease but this Pope is a mock package to me . I find it sickening how media already call him a great Pope who will be resigning and so on and on. Hope the Cardinals make a better choice soon. Every Pope has led the church and done his job till he passed away in the last 800 years or more and he just sits there and resigns.

Obviously a decision he didn't take lightly, and he had his reasons, so now he paves a way for a new pope to step in. Will it be Pope Benedict XVII? I just assume that is how it works?

Kind of surprising.

good for him for realizing his limitations. it takes a big person to admit that he is human, even if he is the pope. i am not Catholic but i admire him for his common sense.

Hi MandaLee, I think this was a surprise to everyone but he is an old man and if his health is failing, it would be the right decision. The fact that a pope hasn't resigned in more than six hundred years, is probably why it's come as such a shock to many.Blessings.

In truth I am not Catholic and so this effects me in no way. There fore it bothers me in no way either. I do not know why he has resigned but see all over the Internet that he has. If it is for health reasons I would say he is responsible. It is my understanding that he is the head of the church and if sick really how could he do his job?

Wow that didn't last long and good he saw his limitations! I am not a catholic, several revivals came in that church but didn't last long. Hopefully the next can bring revival even more into that church!

I was shocked when my son told me about it earlier. I didn't know that Popes can resign from their post. I thought that they remain as is until they die. Anyway, if it was caused by health issues and Pope Benedict feels that he would rather step down and rest, well, it is his prerogative. Although in my own opinion, I think it would be better if he would have stayed just like what Pope John Paul II did....well, just saying...

They have cited failing health.... "He just can't keep it up anymore" Claimed a relieved choirboy. A member of the Hitler youth and responsible for sweeping away the child abuse allegations..... Yeah good riddance.

Hi, I am Catholic. I had a lot of admiration for Pope John Paul II. I wish Pope Benedict XVI well in his retirement. I hope that a new Pope is determined before Easter.

If he feels that he can't be a Pope anymore then it's probably a wise decision. Pope's responsibilities are too important to be held by someone who don't feel the strength to fulfill them. Personally I think he just felt like an old tired man and he wants to live his last days in peace and quiet. And I think he has as much right for that as much as any other person his age.