Will Pope Benedict XVI resign?

The Pope will turn 85 this month.  His health issues and comments he has made in the past have some expecting his resignation.  In early March, two different reports appeared in Italian newspapers (Il Foglio, March 10; and Libero, March 11), “…advancing the hypothesis that Benedict XVI might resign, in part for the sake of influencing the choice of his successor.”

Proponents of the idea that the Pope might resign refer to comments he made in 2010 and to comments he made before becoming pope, that, “If a pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically, and spiritually capable of carrying out the duties of his office, then he has the right, and in some circumstances the obligation, to resign.”  Opponents of the idea cite a lack of precedent, and also the “crisis in faith” that having an acting Pope and a “retired Pope” (both considered the “Vicar of Christ”), would create in the church (VaticanInsider.LaStampa.it, September 25, 2011; chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it, March 16, 2012).  

It has been said, “Leaders think in terms of years or decades, while popes think in terms of centuries.”  The Vatican has long been influential in international politics and the papacy has been an important part of the enterprise.  

Bible prophecy reveals that a “world church” will play a major role in the formation and backing of the end-time European Beast power (see Revelation 17).  Whether the current Pope resigns or not remains to be seen.  However, we can rest assured that this intelligent Pope has carefully thought through the implications and impact of any decision he will make.