Pope Benedict XXVI is retiring.
Resigning.
Quit.
Or he just had enough.
He will be the first Pope in 600 years to leave the papacy while still alive. So it’s no surprise that speculations spread like wildfire throughout the world, many of which point to scandals, betrayals, and just simple politics that forced a major world leader to exit prematurely.
The Pope is not just the leader of a church, even as the Catholic Church is the world’s largest religious organization. He is the Bishop of Rome, which in some way signifies his succession from the emperor of Rome and the spiritual authority of all subjects of Rome, which in the eyes of the Romans at the time, the entire civilized world. Secularly the Pope is also the head of state, and if you like, the king of Vatican City, which is a sovereign country. Finally the Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, which is also a earthly corporation, and as such the world’s largest privately held corporation with assets and holdings probably in the trillions. This makes the Pope arguably the richest man on earth.
With money comes politics, greed, and intrigue. Even the holiest man on earth would have a hard time keeping his faith while trying to deal with all the evil that comes with wealth and power. Most Popes simple grew tired and old, sickened and died. There were a few who had done quite well, because they became the devil who they’ve vow to fight.
Pope Benedict chose to leave while still alive. It is not for anyone to judge his decision, but he made a choice that no Pope has made in over 600 years, and that alone takes tremendous amount of courage.
Good or bad, I congratulate Pope Benedict XXVI for walking away from the glitz and power, from the wealth and influence, and return to the simple man that he is and should always be, a servant of God.
Moriarty's Notes 