web analytics
May 22, 2013 /13 Sivan, 5773
At a Glance
News
Sponsored Post
The Tosfos Yomtov was convinced that the death of 300,000 –600,000 Jews during the Chmielnicki massacres of 1648-49 were because of improper Tefila. Communicated: Tefilla

Chillul Tefila Bifarhesia, as well as halachicly challenged verbiage and dress, are external manifestations of a critical lack of personal yiras shomayim which has lethal consequences.



Home » News » Europe »

The Pope to Quit Feb. 28

The vast majority of popes serve until they die, and they stick it out despite their ill health.
tell a friend
Pope Benedict XVI with Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger (L) and Chief Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Ammar (R), May 12 2009.

Pope Benedict XVI with Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger (L) and Chief Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Ammar (R), May 12 2009.

The Vatican has announced that German born Pope Benedict XVI will resign on February 28. Benedict will be the first pope to step down from the papacy in centuries.

The pope is reported to be stepping down because he feels his age is interfering with his ability to perform the job. He is 85 years old.

The vast majority of popes serve until they die, and they stick it out despite their ill health. The last pope to resign voluntarily was Pope Gregory XII, in 1415. Prior to that, Pope Benedict IX resigned from the post in 1045.

Benedict’s decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March, and opens the door to widespread speculation among Roman Catholics about his possible successor.

According to the Italian news agency ANSA, the Pope made his announcement in Latin during a special meeting with senior cardinals. Angelo Sodano, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, described the announcement as “a lighting bolt from the clear blue sky.”

The pope apparently told his subordinates: “After repeatedly examining my conscience in front of God I have reached the conclusion that my strengths – because of advanced age – mean I am no longer able to exercise adequately the [role of Pope].”

Two Italian newspapers ran quotes from the Pope stating that he “felt the weight of the task” and had decided to step down “for the good the Church”.

The Independent revealed there have been rumors over the past few months that the Pope’s health has been failing and that he was struggling to read texts. Benedict has previously stated that Popes who are unable to do their job because of ill health should step down.

During a visit to an old age home in November the Pope spoke about getting older.

He said that while it was “beautiful to be old,” age brought challenges and difficulties with which he himself was familiar.

“I know well the difficulties, the problems and the limits of this age, and I know that these difficulties are aggravated for many people by the economic crisis,” he said.

“But I want to say to you with profound conviction – it is beautiful to be old!”

tell a friend

About the Author: JewishPress.com Senior Internet Editor Yori Yanover has been a working journalist since age 17, before he enlisted and worked for Ba'Machane Nachal. Since then he has worked for Israel Shelanu, the US supplement of Yedioth, JCN18.com, USAJewish.com, Lubavitch News Service, Arutz 7 (as DJ on the high seas), and the Grand Street News. He has published two fun books: The Cabalist's Daughter: A Novel of Practical Messianic Redemption, and How Would God REALLY Vote.


You might also be interested in:


no comments

You must log in to post a comment.

No Responses to “The Pope to Quit Feb. 28”

  1. Liad Bar-el says:

    Before the Pope leaves, should not Israel demand that he return to us all the Jewish Temple items he has in the Vatican?

  2. Two to one, there is a scandal brewing, and he's smart enough to get out before the whole thing blows up in his face.

  3. Gisela Barry says:

    He is elderly and the job is stressful. Very good decision
    And since he did not die there is no 9 day wait to elect another pope

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Current Top Story
The 5 figures
Happiness Is Knowing your Body Type
Latest News Stories

Iran will be able top produce 30 nuclear bombs a year and 100 within the decade, Minister of Strategy, Intelligence and International Relations Affairs Yuval Steinitz told a defense conference this week. He told the IsraelDefense C5I Conference that Iran could reach the capability of operating 54,000 centrifuges. “Iran is not North Korea or Pakistan [...]

Israeli soldiers on Tuesday arrested three Palestinian Authority security officers who murdered 24-year-old Ben-Yosef Livnat at Joseph’s Tomb two years ago but spent only one year in a PA jail before being freed. An IDF investigation of the incident confirmed Palestinian Authority claims that Livnat and other Jews tried to enter the holy Jewish site [...]

The shekel-dollar rate has soared 4 percent in the past two weeks, with the latest jump today (Wednesday) prompted by expectations that the Bank of Israel will lower the interest rate again in June. The rate crossed the level of 3.69 shekels to the dollar on Wednesday after having dropped under 3.55 shekels to the [...]

Police in Home Front Drill testing Israel's preparedness

The annual Home Front Drill is quite routine. This year there are more reasons for Israelis to take it more seriously, such as Assad, Hezbollah and chemical weapons, for starters. Hope for the best.

JERUSALEM – As Shiite Hizbullah and Sunni anti-Syrian government rebels battle across Syria and Lebanon, and Egyptian and Jordanian forces confront al Qaeda terrorists in the Sinai and southern Jordan, the emir of Qatar blamed Israel for the chaos that threatens to plunge the entire region into war.

WASHINGTON – Poland is a stalwart American ally in Europe, a bulwark against an increasingly belligerent Russia and, with the recent opening of a major new Warsaw museum, is enjoying a flush of accolades for its belated embrace of its Jewish roots.

Israelis are familiar with archaeological finds dating back centuries and sometimes thousands of years. Now the world’s most popular museum, the Louvre, exhibits a 1,700-year-old mosaic found in Lod.

The LA mayoral race was between a man with a Jewish mother and a woman married to a Jew.

At the inaugural Values Network Gala on June 4, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach will be honoring Holocaust survivor Professor Elie Wiesel, renowned philanthropists Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson and influential health advocate Dr. Mehmet Oz for their outstanding work as champions for Jewish and human values. Proceeds from the dinner, to be held at the New [...]

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad rejected a decision by election overseers to disqualify his own top aide, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, from the June 14 presidential vote in Iran as an act of “oppression” and threatened to take the case to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, AP reported. His comments were posted Wednesday on his website [...]

An Israeli soldier was killed in a mine explosion in the southern Golan Heights. The soldier was taking part Tuesday in a minefield-clearing operation, according to the Israel Defense Forces, and was killed when an old anti-tank mine exploded. Two other soldiers were injured. The mine reportedly was cleared and marked before it exploded. The [...]

“A majority of the claims made by the person who wrote the anonymous letter were refuted by Mr. Domnitser,” the report said.

An April 19, 2013 Quinnipiac University survey gives Weiner 15 percent of Democratic primary voters.

I often think that a sharpshooter must be the calmest and most focused person. The Reconnaissance Platoon of the 601st Brigade is a small unit in the Combat Engineering Corps. Earlier this year, they held an exercise in a densely wooded area, where they practiced combat fighting, reconnaissance and evacuating injured soldiers. They also practiced [...]

NewsIsraelIDF

An IDF soldier was killed Tuesday afternoon in a training accident on the Golan Heights. The soldier, in the Combat Engineering Corps, was clearing anti-tank mines when one mine unexpectedly exploded.

There are only about 5000 Jews in the Greater Oklahoma City area, but the Chabad of Oklahoma City is working around the clock to provide assistance tp anyone in need.

More Articles from Yori Yanover
Inner Peace with High Power Rifle

I often think that a sharpshooter must be the calmest and most focused person. The Reconnaissance Platoon of the 601st Brigade is a small unit in the Combat Engineering Corps. Earlier this year, they held an exercise in a densely wooded area, where they practiced combat fighting, reconnaissance and evacuating injured soldiers. They also practiced [...]

The mission was originally supposed to arrive in Jerusalem on Monday.

NewsIsraelIDF

The patrol shot back and hit the source of the fire.

This young Jewish man from the Jewish outpost of Mitzpe Yitzhar in Judea and Samaria, has been practicing swinging his slingshot, in the manner of the original Jewish sling shooter, the young David son of Jesse. I’ve always been bothered by images of young Arabs swinging their slingshots at IDF soldiers – it’s about time [...]

I figured, if anyone out there is looking for proper instructions on this subject matter, given with a British accent – we’re here to help. Dedicated to the folks at Mitzpe Yitzhar…

A group of consumers headed by a Haredi woman is looking to sue Tnuva for consumer anguish.

I guess we’re in the mood for Jewish farming, seeing as we got the sheep shearing image in the photo of the day (Synergy!). A Day in Sakon Nakhon: My Life as a Jewish Rice Farmer – this is the trailer, go here for the full, 12 minute movie. Have fun, and watch out for [...]

    Latest Poll

    Which is the most beautiful location in Jerusalem?









    View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...

Printed from: http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/the-pope-to-quits-feb-28/2013/02/11/

Scan this QR code to visit this page online:

Close