Is the Pope dead yet?

[BigBenGodsend]

This is getting ridiculous. If he doesn't die after this trip to the hospital then he just needs to abdicate his position. Pope John Paul II is one of the longest serving popes in recent history and he should be proud of some of his accomplishments, but right now he is unable to do anything and can barely lead a Mass anymore, this needs to stop.

 

[eek.]

I think its a job for life and the only way out the door is feet first.

 

[JinnRikki]

Other Popes have stepped down. It also seems to me that in his compromised condition it's easy for people to put words into his mouth. Some recent statements by him make me wonder.

 

[eek.]

feet first seems to be the simplest policy...

But both arguments seem weak in the light of the precedent of the 14th-century Pope Urban VI. His severe emotional and mental disturbances led the cardinals to declare him "dead" and elect another pope, Clement VII. This resulted in the disastrous Great Schism in the West of 1378-1417 during which two and subsequently three rival popes claimed authority. Even saints were confused and were on opposing sides in support of rivals to the Holy See. Where was the Holy Spirit then, one may ask?


GREGORY XII (d.1417) resigned in 1415 to try to end the Great Schism. No pope has abdicated since then. http://www.thesoutherncross.co.za/features/presign.htm

 

[BigBenGodsend]

But I don't know if any Pope has been incapacitated to the level of Pope John Paul II since then. I believe he is in the advanced stages of Parkinson's or something like that and he is currently serving no use in this stage.

 

[919]

he'll step down when God tells him to, and not a moment sooner!