March 5, 2013
Now onwards anytime the white smoke will rise from the Sistine Chapel chimney visible from St Peter’s square.… Soon after there will be a solemn proclamation from the balcony over St Peter’s square by the Senior Cardinal Deacon, ‘Habemus Papam.’ (We have a Pope). Catholics all over the world certainly are waiting for this great moment and eager to receive the apostolic blessing from the new Pope.
Speculations over the 266th Pope are numerous. He could be the first black Pope, the first American Pope…the first Asian Pope, and first non-European Pope. Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch told a Zurich paper that it "would be good if there were candidates from Africa or South America at the next conclave," adding that he would pick a non-European over a European candidate if the two were equally qualified. We just wait and watch.
The resignation of the Pope Benedict the XVI took the world in surprise. Why did he resign? Was it necessary for him to resign? People have been asking these questions since the day of announcement of resignation. Back in 2005, when the Cardinals elected him as a successor to Pope John Paul II, all knew that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was 78, that his health was not so much promising due to the stroke he had. But their enormous respect for the man for his integrity outweighed their concerns about his health, and so he became Benedict XVI. After eight years of his Pontificate in his announcement of resignation, the Pope told the cardinals who elected him as the Pope that in order to govern "... both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me."
Reactions to Pope’s resignation were of mixed feelings. It was unexpected, surprising and shocking. "This is disconcerting, he is leaving his flock," said Alessandra Mussolini, a parliamentarian who is a granddaughter of Italy's wartime dictator. She further said: "The Pope is not any man. He is the Vicar of Christ. He should stay on to the end, go ahead and bear his cross to the end. This is a huge sign of world destabilization that will weaken the Church." Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, secretary to the late Pope John Paul, said the former Pope had stayed on despite failing health for the last decade of his life as he believed "you cannot come down from the cross." Hans Küng, a theologian and former colleague of Benedict called his decision to step down “understandable for many reasons,” British Prime Minister David Cameron said: "He will be missed as a spiritual leader to millions." Many other state leaders said Pope's decision must be respected if he feels he is too weak to carry out his duties. A London Times editorial was more generous calling his decision, “a noble and selfless decision,”
It is said the Pope Benedict has been working on the papal encyclical on faith and was scheduled for publication early this year. Pope, known for his writing skills, scholarly arguments and sound theological doctrines has not been able to complete a draft. Now he felt has no stamina to complete it though he still possesses intellectual firepower. This might be one of the reasons which eventually led him to reach a firm and courageous decision to resign after careful deliberation and prayer.
In his farewell address Pope Benedict XVI told the huge crowd: “There were moments of joy and light but also moments that were not easy ... there were moments, as there were throughout the history of the Church, when the seas were rough and the wind blew against us and it seemed that the Lord was sleeping.” Pope has acknowledged that his papacy had been rocked by “rough seas”. Church throughout her history had been rocked by storms. In modern times, the Church has been blessed with truly holy Popes who have been strong leaders who were really symbols ‘Christian Unity” leading the Church ashore.
Now it would be difficult to find someone “who could lead the Church out of its multifaceted crisis,” says Hans Küng. Amidst crisis, storms, abuses and scandals the new Pope needs strength both of body and spirit to lead the Church ashore. Pope Benedict XVI convinced that God watches over the Church and continues to guide her. From his side Pope as a pilgrim on this earth would still with his heart, with his love, with his prayers, with his reflection work for the good of the Church and pray for the Church. We too join him to pray, pray for the Church and pray for the new Pope CCLXVI.