Pope 'too ill to continue' | Bangkok Post: news

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Pope resigning on Feb 28, conclave in March

Published: 11 Feb 2013 at 18.43
Online news: World

UPDATE VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI said Monday he lacks the strength to fulfill his duties and on Feb 28 will become the first pontiff in 600 years to resign.

The announcement sets the stage for a conclave in March to elect a new leader for world's one billion Catholics.

The 85-year-old pope announced the bombshell in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals, surprising even his closest collaborators, even though Benedict had made clear in the past he would step down if he became too old or infirm to do the job.

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DonAleman
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Discussion 10 : 12 Feb 2013 at 16.3210
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Born into the Catholic religion 78 yrs. ago I have never known any Pope to change the Catholic world for the better. Problems, some hundreds of years old, go unresolved - can priests marry, is abortion okay, how about contraception ? It really doesn't matter who occupys the luxurious "POPE" seat !
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CMfarang
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Discussion 9 : 11 Feb 2013 at 22.529
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They retire to a house in the country with 12 alter boys don't they.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 8 : 11 Feb 2013 at 21.448
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Most unexpected, but it is my understanding he was meant to be an interim pope before someone more modern in thinking took his place. He surprised them and lived longer than they expected. He is doing the decent thing and showing once again that he was a good choice for the papacy.
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nitnoi
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Discussion 7 : 11 Feb 2013 at 21.407
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Not in a million year that politicians would do such thing.Just one duty alone cleaning dirtied laundries in catholic churchs all over the world requires strength. So far he is smartest man on earth .
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dao
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Discussion 6 : 11 Feb 2013 at 20.306
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An unremarkable Pope .I hope the Catholic Church can push forward into this century with its outdated ideology .It views on safe sex ,marriage and abortion to name but a few are at serious odds with what is happening in 2013 .Maybe pay some tax .
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borrocks
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Discussion 5 : 11 Feb 2013 at 20.265
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St Malachy prophesied 112 popes until the end, We were on 111 until today...Now all we need is Peter who will unleash the gates of hell on the 7 hills of Rome
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bennu
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Discussion 4 : 11 Feb 2013 at 20.104
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It may be far-fetched, but there was a prediction once that the 'master' Jesus who was allegedly already living in Rome, would redirect Christianity towards a more rational approach, unifying the religious thought of East and West, all people, and that he would occupy the chair of the Pope.
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DickFarang
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Discussion 3 : 11 Feb 2013 at 19.543
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Nice to see that, after the Dutch Queen Beatrix, also Pope Benedict XVI decides to retire in beauty.

It would be fine if British Queen Elisabeth II and Belgian King Albert II followed their example.
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onlyme
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Discussion 2 : 11 Feb 2013 at 19.442
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I am not Catholic nor for that matter religious but I must admire the courage and devotion required to make this decision. If only politicians could be so selfless.
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oldexp
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Discussion 1 : 11 Feb 2013 at 19.361
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He understood that he isn't fit for the job no more. I am impressed.
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