A new word is being used in the case of Pope John Paul II and it’s “retirement”:
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The Vatican said Monday Pope John Paul would remain in hospital for a few more days as his top aide spoke openly about the possibility of the frail Pontiff eventually retiring for the good of the Church.
In its latest health bulletin the Vatican said that although the 84-year old Pope was improving, he would stay in Rome’s Gemelli hospital at least until Thursday as a precaution.
He was rushed there just before midnight last Tuesday with acute breathing problems brought on by a bout of influenza. The Vatican originally said he would spend just a week in hospital.
His latest hospitalization once again revived debate on what the Church would do if he became permanently incapacitated and raised speculation that he might decide to retire instead of rule for life as Pontiffs traditionally do.
The word “might” is a journalist hedge…but this story seems to reflect an official feeler on this issue. Read on:
Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State, was asked at a Vatican event Monday night if the latest health problems had made the Pope reflect on possible retirement.
“Let’s leave that up to the conscience of the Pope,” said Sodano, who in the past has brushed off talk of Papal retirement.
“If there is a man of the Church who is guided by the Holy Spirit, if there is a man who loves the Church more than anyone else, if there is a man who is possessed with marvelous wisdom, it is the Pope,” Sodano said.
“We have to have enormous faith in him. He knows what he has to do,” he added.
It sounds like it is being discussed. And then there’s this:
Church law says a Pope can resign, but it is a highly rare event. The last Pope to resign willingly was Celestine V, who stepped down in 1294. Gregory XII reluctantly abdicated in 1415 when more than one Pope was reigning at the same time.
So it wouldn’t be the first time. But in the end, it seems clear, “El Papa” will decide.
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.