Bye-Bye Ratzi the Nazi.
Habemas quittem.
It’s interesting that a Pope who was seen as such a traditionalist is doing something no Pope has done in 600 years. But he did see his predecessor up close and his decline was slow and very long, so I don’t blame him for not wanting to go through the same thing while appearing in public and running the church. He’s already older than John Paul II was when he died, and in his first public address as Pope he said his reign was going to be short. That’s not a big gamble since he was already close to 80 and the oldest person in centuries to become Pope, but still, it seemed like an acknowledgment of how he saw his own role from a historical perspective. I’m tempted to say something like ‘I hope the next Pope will be more interested in dealing with the child molestation scandal in a full and open way and in working with the law to do so,’ but I wouldn’t even bother hoping.
By the way the Vatican is denying that he’s quitting because of any specific health problem. They say it’s just advanced age and weariness (as opposed to “exhaustion,” which would mean he’s going into rehab).
Heard this morning that if the Pope doesn’t keep his adopted name of Benedict and goes back to Joe Ratzinger that he will officially be an ex-Benedict.
Richard III is found dead and shortly after Benedict quits. Connect the dots people, connect the dots.
He must have been offered a spot on Fox News.
That and Penn State beat Notre Dame in sex scandals and football. Clearly a new Head Head Coach is required. 
not enough Fahrvergnügen.
Eh, he’s been spending a lot of time on the internet. I think he probably met someone and wants to see where it goes. I think her name is Lennay something…
I seem to recall this guy was a little reluctant to become Pope? He’d already retired as a Cardinal. They persuaded him to step in and become Pope. He has looked more frail in the past year.
They really need to find a younger man. Much like they did with with John Paul II. He was still a very active man when he became Pope. Skiing and other things. He slowed down a lot after he got shot.
I found out about this when I saw a bunch of Papal election threads on the SD. I turned on the TV because my assumption was that Benedict had died. I’m with the earlier poster who said he’s stunned that any Pope would quit. (Although seeing him on that moving stage in the Christmas Day mass had me wondering.) Among Catholics, it’s assumed the Pope dies on the post. If you can’t travel because you’re too frail, than just stay in the Vatican. It’s what most Popes did, and it’s not like Benedict travelled much anyway.
It would be hilariously funny if he said the reason he resigned was he was too upset about Mantei Te’o.
Not that I get a vote, but I’d nominate Stephen Colbert if I could.
He’s already tweeted that he’s available: “Reporting for duty, Vatican City!”
Jesus, John Paul II stuck it out until death, and boy did he have some mental and physical issues. Ratzinger isn’t worthy to hold John Paul’s gilded jockstrap.
Father Ratzinger would, I believe, be the lowest he could be styled. Not that I think this particular bit of the protocol manual is kept up-to-date.
Thank you JoseB and FairyChatMom!
Yeah, it does look like he poped around for the regular amount of time. Guess it’s just a perilous profession that hastens the victim’s demise. 
Can we do the silver hammer thing anyway?
totally stealing this!
According to CNN, he would likely remain a Cardinal, and be addressed as Cardinal Ratzinger
Brian
Dan Brown is booting up his computer as we type.
Because of his age, however, he would not vote in the Conclave following his resignation.