# So the Pope Is Resigning **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 11, 2013, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960 "2013-02-11T11:13:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/121 "2013-02-12T08:31:23Z")
For a new Pope, someone on another forum suggested [Superman](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__iTLzOYPZzE/TJlzMMatYBI/AAAAAAAAAHU/kRc21DKLEHI/s640/Action+311.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Doggo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@Doggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doggo)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/122 "2013-02-12T09:30:42Z")
Yawn. Why does the media treat this as if it’s important? It’s as big a turn off as Kate’s baby! ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/123 "2013-02-12T11:45:27Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > Yawn. Why does the media treat this as if it’s important? It’s as big a turn off as Kate’s baby! Princesses (as a group) get pregnant every 20 years or so - this is the first Pope to resign in 600 years. Brian ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/124 "2013-02-12T13:57:17Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I’m also wondering if this means that he’s managed to finagle enough votes in the College to elect his hand-picked successor (whoever that is). This was my immediate thought. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/125 "2013-02-12T14:04:08Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Princesses (as a group) get pregnant every 20 years or so I thought the politically correct term was “vacillating noble”. (Damn you, Avalon Hill!!!) ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/126 "2013-02-12T14:54:58Z")
> [@Recusant](#): > > I’m no Catholic, but I have to say I’m kind of surprised by all the negativity I’m hearing, both here and elsewhere, towards this decision. I mean, if he feels he can’t do the job anymore, is it really in the best interest of the (currently embattled) church he supposedly loves to keep doddering on instead of stepping aside to let someone more able-bodied-and perhaps minded take the helm? Well, the Pope doesn’t work in a vacuum. Doddering on is what every Pope has done; his staff and advisers just step in more heavily. And they act in accord with what they determine would be his wishes if it goes that far. Popes before this Pope weren’t struck down in their prime, e.g., John Paul II certainly didn’t die in the saddle. He had been in the saddle bag for a while with someone else guiding the horse. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/127 "2013-02-13T02:53:08Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > Yawn. Why does the media treat this as if it’s important? It’s as big a turn off as Kate’s baby! Indeed. BBC is giving this blanket coverage. I thought Britain burned Catholics? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/128 "2013-02-13T03:06:10Z")
> [@AnalogSignal](#): > > Something is fishy in Vatican City. Apparently the Pope is still sharp as a tack: > > [http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/11/why-did-the-pope-resign/](http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/11/why-did-the-pope-resign/) > > Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington, D.C., said: Just because his mind isn’t going doesn’t mean he’s up to the job. My grandmother died two months ago – she was 94, but her mind was still there. You don’t have to be senile to ready to retire. Being the Pope is probably a mega-stressful job. > [@N9IWP](#): > > Princesses (as a group) get pregnant every 20 years or so - this is the first Pope to resign in 600 years. > > Brian He’s also a world leader with a ton of influence on society. Like him or hate him, the pope IS an important figure. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/129 "2013-02-13T03:17:47Z")
> [@AnalogSignal](#): > > Something is fishy in Vatican City. Apparently the Pope is still sharp as a tack: > > [http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/11/why-did-the-pope-resign/](http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/11/why-did-the-pope-resign/) > > Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington, D.C., said: That’s the opinion of one guy based on one event. We’re talking about an 85-year-old man doing a strenuous job. He’s supposedly having a lot of trouble walking and has been told to stop making long plane trips, which would be a problem for the Pope. If he also feels he’s having difficulty focusing at times and over the long haul - which an individual performance wouldn’t really speak to - that isn’t unexpected. There’s also a lot of room between ‘doesn’t feel he is mentally up to the job anymore’ (or ‘won’t be capable of handling the job much longer’) and ‘senile.’ ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/130 "2013-02-13T04:28:00Z")
They say it’s as yet unclear what his exact title will be afterward. Maybe they could revive “antipope”? ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/131 "2013-02-13T04:56:59Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > They say it’s as yet unclear what his exact title will be afterward. Maybe they could revive “antipope”? Pontifex emeritus? ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/132 "2013-02-13T06:58:00Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Rest assured, during my interview I will be abstaining from any and all sexual activity. > > Also, that description left out a few things. A career path to sainthood, for example. A generous wardrobe budget, including robes that encourage going commando! An armored limo. And some really nifty shoes! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/133 "2013-02-13T07:12:21Z")
Also, given that we all have questions about this retirement/resignation/whatever, I think that Mr. Benny ought to hold a sort of Q & A meeting in which all can ask him questions. And everybody will be secretly taking bets on how long it takes for him to get bored with questions and then to say [“I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition”.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt0Y39eMvpI)🙂 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/134 "2013-02-13T07:15:11Z")
I’m somewhat amused at all the concern that the Ex Pope will be living close to the Vatican. I even saw one news headline “Two Popes”. Oh Please, it’s not a big deal. The US currently has four living ex Presidents. Britain has at least three living ex prime ministers. I’m sure you could go on and on listing countries with ex leaders. It’s never been a problem in the US. Jimmy Carter doesn’t interfere and neither do either of the Bushes in current politics. I doubt we’ll hear much from the ex pope. I expect that he’ll settle down into a quiet retirement just like all the other former world leaders . ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/135 "2013-02-13T08:26:38Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I doubt we’ll hear much from the ex pope. I expect that he’ll settle down into a quiet retirement just like all the other former world leaders . I’ll be shocked if he lives to see 2014. He looks so frail. Frailer than JP2 ever did, even in his last days. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/136 "2013-02-13T08:47:08Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Jimmy Carter doesn’t interfere and neither do either of the Bushes in current politics. But Nixon was a thorn in the sides of several presidents. ETA: And IIRC, Jimmy Carter pissed the Clinton administration off at least once. I think he went to North Korea on behalf of the president and, from the POV of the White House, went beyond the scope of his authority. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/137 "2013-02-13T12:46:12Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > They say it’s as yet unclear what his exact title will be afterward. Maybe they could revive “antipope”? No!!! Then if he shakes hands with the new Pope, you’ll have mutual annhilation, with the release of an enormous amount of energy and spontaneous particle-antiparticle creation, obliterating Vatican City, Rome, and a good chucnk of central Italy. Worse, it will give credence to a Dan Brown book. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/138 "2013-02-13T15:13:18Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > I’ll be shocked if he lives to see 2014. He looks so frail. Frailer than JP2 ever did, even in his last days. Actually, I saw him on the news this morning and he was looking pretty good! I guess quitting the pope job takes ten years off your age. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/139 "2013-02-13T15:16:15Z")
> [@Celyn](#): > > And everybody will be secretly taking bets on how long it takes for him to get bored with questions and then to say [“I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition”.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt0Y39eMvpI)🙂 Well, given that he was the head of the Roman one… ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960/140 "2013-02-13T18:12:25Z")
I’m just waiting to see if the camerlengo looks anything like Ewan McGregor, and tries to take over like in _Angels and Demons_. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pope-is-resigning/649960.md?page=8)