The pope Benedict the 16th has not done much for the world .
Pope Benedict XVI believes in Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ. He believes in Him so wholeheartedly, that he gave up his entire life to serve as one of His priests in His Church, something he has done for his entire life.
Of course not, beginning with Pope John Paul II, and picking up speed with Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican has done everything possible to bring every accused priest to justice and protect children in every way possible. Pope Benedict XVI, in the last two years of his Pontificate laicized over 400 priests. Pope Benedict XVI did everything possible to deal with the abuse issue and bring it to a close, and Pope Francis is continuing with his gameplan.
Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation as Pope, from the Vatican today 11th February, 2013. His speech intimating his resignation, was given in Latin, he will leave office on 28th February, 2013. His announcement was greeted with shock from all corners of the world. Benedict XVI, who is 85, was appointed Pope in 2005, following the death of the then Pontiff, Pope John Paul II. BenedictXVI was 78 on his appointment and was the oldest Pontiff to be elected for 300 years. A Conclave (meeting) of College of Cardinals of the Catholic Church took place to "elect" the then Cardinal Ratzinger as the new Pontiff. Cardinal Ratzinger, then took the name of Benedict XVI. He will have held office for only eight years. A Pope, once elected does not normally resign from "office" and has not done so in living memory. Only after the death of a pontiff, does this "trigger" an election for a new Pontiff. Benedict XVI now makes history, since the last Pontiff to resign and not to die in office was Pope Gregory XII, who resigned his pontifical office in 1415 A.D. BenedictXVI indicated the reason for his resignation was on health grounds, although no immediate health concerns were cited. A "conclave" will now be called and a new Pontiff elected by the College of Cardinals of the Catholic Church, which is due to commence on the 18th March, 2013 with a new pontiff being elected by Easter, 2013.
Send a letter addressed to:His Holiness, Pope FrancisApostolic Palace00120 Vatican CityThe current address of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI isHis Holiness, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVIMater Ecclesiae Monastery00120 Vatican City
The current pope (Benedict XVI) chose this name himself. He said he was thinking of two prior Benedicts: (1) St. Benedict, the Father of Western Monasticism; and (2) Pope Benedict XV.Why St. Benedict? Because he was a simple monk who desired to live a quiet life of prayer and work and lead others to do the same. He developed the practical "rule of life"(guide) that became the "standard" for thousands of monks and monasteries worldwide (most notably the great monastery at Monte Casino, located outside of Rome, Italy, and in existence from 529 AD to 1944 when it was destroyed by the Germans). These monks, following the Benedictine model/rule ultimately evangelized and educated Europe during the centuries known as the "Dark Ages." Pope Benedict XVI (elected in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II) didn't really want to be pope. He wanted to return to his birthplace (Bavaria) and devote himself to prayer and theological writing. Benedict XVI (formerly known as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) is a brilliant academic and theologian. He wanted to return to a life of peace, solitude and academic/theological pursuits. Didn't turn out that way. Another key to the pope's choice was the focus of St. Benedict (and the Benedictine monks) to evangelization of western Europe. Benedict XVI's focus is on the re-Christianization of Western Europe.Why Pope Benedict XV? He was pope during WWI and witnessed supposedly Catholic nations warring and attacking each other. Benedict XV's focus was a call to peace and reconciliation. He also vigorously sought to heal the divisions and wounds among the various Christian denominations and called for Christian unity between The Orthodox Church and The Catholic Church. Benedict XV called for an era of Christian renewal with prayer, intense Scriptural reading as the means to healing.That is essentially why Cardinal Ratzinger chose the papal (new) name of Benedict XVI.He wants to follow the good works Benedict XV had done before.
Pope Paul became the first reigning pope to visit the Americas where he addressed the United Nations in New York City.
Like all popes, he was chosen by an election where his fellow cardinals voted for their choice of Pope. This was done in private in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City on the 13th of March 2013.
Pope Benedict XVI is the leader of the Catholic Church and thereby responsible for the Church upon Earth in its administrative, judicial, preservative and secular relations, all done in the service of spreading the Gospel for the salvation of souls.Update:Benedict retired on February 28, 2013, and is currently 'unemployed.' He will spend the rest of his life in the Vatican praying, meditating and reading but will have no official function in the governance of the Catholic Church.
Benedict's
He crowned himself, which hadn't been done since the crowning of Charlemagne in 800 A.D. This shows that the pope doesn't have authority over him and he is not subservient to the pope.
Yes, the pope can resign if done so as a free choice and not under pressure to do so.