Sad News...
RIP, JPII.
Though the next week will be devoted to praising and burying John Paul II - he will be interred aside other popes inside the subterranean grottoes at St. Peter's Basilica - the ancient institution of the Roman Catholic church will soon turn toward the future and the selection of the next Pope. No sooner than 15 days from today, and no later than 20, most of the 117 voting members of the College of Cardinals will meet in secrecy below the frescos of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel to decide who will inherit the seat of St. Peter.
The Vatican statement announcing his death said: "The procedure foreseen by the apostolic constitution in 'Universi Dominici gregis', promulgated by John Paul II on February 22, 1996, has been put into place."
Though the next week will be devoted to praising and burying John Paul II - he will be interred aside other popes inside the subterranean grottoes at St. Peter's Basilica - the ancient institution of the Roman Catholic church will soon turn toward the future and the selection of the next Pope. No sooner than 15 days from today, and no later than 20, most of the 117 voting members of the College of Cardinals will meet in secrecy below the frescos of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel to decide who will inherit the seat of St. Peter.
The Vatican statement announcing his death said: "The procedure foreseen by the apostolic constitution in 'Universi Dominici gregis', promulgated by John Paul II on February 22, 1996, has been put into place."
posted by Mike C | 3:05 PM
2 Comments:
I think, he was a great pope. And actually I think he really had to suffer during his last days.
In a way it is very cruel that popes are not allowed to retire...
René C. Kiesler
Rene, you are correct that the pope was a great man, but incorrect regarding their ability to retire. This pope was asked several times to step down during the last several years as his Parkinson's became more debilitating, but chose to continue. As far as I know, the appointment as pope is for life, but much like our own Supreme Court justices, the papacy is at will and the pope may retire before death. Traditionally, most do not. There has been talk about limiting the tenure of a papacy by rule, but there is nothing currently on the books that requires a pope to endure in the role, regardless of circumstance, until death. This pope's suffering and death in office was of his own choosing.
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