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Alessandra Tarantino / Pool via EPA
Pope Benedict XVI receives Guatemala's President Otto Perez Molina and his wife Rosa Perez during a private audience at the Vatican, 16 February 2013.
The Vatican raised the possibility Saturday that the conclave to elect the next pope might start sooner than March 15, the earliest date possible under current rules that require a 15 to 20 day waiting period after the papacy becomes vacant.
Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said that Vatican rules on papal succession are open to interpretation and that "this is a question that people are discussing."
"It is possible that church authorities can prepare a proposal to be taken up by the cardinals on the first day after the papal vacancy" to move up the start of the conclave, he said.
The 15 to 20 day waiting period is in place to allow time for all cardinals who don't live in Rome to arrive, under the usual circumstance of a pope dying. But in this case the cardinals already know that this pontificate will end Feb. 28, with the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and therefore can get to Rome in plenty of time to take part in the conclave, Lombardi said.
The date of the conclave's start is important because Holy Week begins March 24, with Palm Sunday Mass followed by Easter Sunday on March 31. In order to have a new pope in place in time for the most solemn liturgical period on the church calendar, he would need to be installed by Sunday, March 17, because of the strong tradition to hold installation Mass on a Sunday. Given the tight time frame, speculation has mounted that some arrangement would be made to start the conclave earlier than a strict reading of the law would allow.
Questions about the start of the conclave have swirled since Benedict stunned the world on Feb. 11, by announcing that he would retire, the first pontiff in 600 years to abdicate rather than stay in office until death. His decision has created a host of questions about how the Vatican will proceed, given that its plans for the so-called "sede vacante" -- or vacant seat -- period between papacies are based on the process starting with a papal death.
The conclave to elect the next pope might start sooner than March 15. NBC's Lester Holt.
"In this moment we are not prepared," said Cardinal Franc Rode, the former head of the Vatican's office for religious orders who will vote in the conclave. "We have not been able to make predictions, strategies, plans, candidates. It is too early, but we will get there. In two or three weeks things will be put in place."
Meanwhile, a German journalist who has published several long interviews with Benedict over the years suggested that the pope strongly foreshadowed his retirement during an August conversation.
Peter Seewald said in an article for the German weekly Focus published Saturday that the pontiff had told him that his strength was diminishing and "not much more" could be expected from him as pope.
"I am an old man and my strength is running out," Seewald quoted the pope as saying. "And I think what I have done is enough."
Asked by Seewald whether he was considering resignation, Benedict responded: "That depends to what extent my physical strength will compel me to." The summer interview, as well as another in December, were for a new Benedict biography.
Seewald's 2010 book-length interview with Benedict, "Light of the World," laid the groundwork for a possible resignation.
In it, he quoted Benedict as saying: "If a pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he has a right, and under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign."
He stressed then, however, that resignation was not an option to escape a particular burden, such as the scandal over sexual abuse by clerics which had erupted earlier in 2010.
In Saturday's article, Seewald recalled asking the pope in August how badly the 2012 scandal over leaks of papal documents, in which the pope's ex-butler was convicted of aggravated theft, had affected him.
Benedict said the affair had not thrown him off his stride or made him tired of office. "It is simply incomprehensible to me," he said.
The journalist said that when he last saw Benedict about 10 weeks ago, his hearing had deteriorated and he appeared to have lost vision in his left eye, adding that the pope had lost weight and appeared tired.
Benedict, however, appeared in good form on Saturday for some of his final audiences. He met with the Guatemalan president, a group of visiting Italian bishops, and had his farewell audience with Italian Premier Mario Monti.
"He was in good condition," Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina told reporters afterward. "He didn't seem tired, rather smiling, lively -- and happy and very clear in his decision to resign."
Cardinal Angelo Scola, the archbishop of Milan and a leading contender to succeed Benedict, said several of the visiting bishops noted at the end of their audience that they were the last group of bishops to be received by the pope. "`This responsibility means you have to become a light for all,"' he quoted Benedict as saying.
Lombardi also gave more details about Benedict's final public audiences and plans for retirement, saying already 35,000 people had requested tickets for his final general audience to be held in St. Peter's Square on Feb. 27.
He said Benedict would spend about two months in the papal summer retreat at Castel Gandolfo south of Rome immediately after his abdication, to allow enough time for renovations to be completed on his retirement home -- a converted monastery inside the Vatican walls.
That means Benedict would be expected to return to the Vatican, no longer as pope, around the end of April or beginning of May, Lombardi said.
He was asked if and when the pope would meet with his successor and whether he would participate in his installation Mass. Like many open questions about the end of Benedict's papacy, Lombardi said, both issues simply haven't been resolved.
Related:
- Pope Benedict XVI, citing deteriorating strength, will step aside Feb. 28
- New pope doesn't mean new doctrine, experts say
- Pope's abdication could thwart Silvio Berluconi's political comeback
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Is there any truth to this story????
itccs.org
Pope Benedict resigned to avoid arrest, seizure of church wealth by Easter
Posted on February 13, 2013 by itccs
Diplomatic Note was issued to Vatican just prior to his resignation
New Pope and Catholic clergy face indictment and arrest as "Easter Reclamation" plan continues
A Global Media Release and Statement from The International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State
Brussels:
The historically unprecedented resignation of Joseph Ratzinger as Pope this week was compelled by an upcoming action by a European government to issue an arrest warrant against Ratzinger and a public lien against Vatican property and assets by Easter.
The ITCCS Central Office in Brussels is compelled by Pope Benedict's sudden abdication to disclose the following details:
1. On Friday, February 1, 2013, on the basis of evidence supplied by our affiliated Common Law Court of Justice (itccs.org), our Office concluded an agreement with representatives of a European nation and its courts to secure an arrest warrant against Joseph Ratzinger, aka Pope Benedict, for crimes against humanity and ordering a criminal conspiracy.
2. This arrest warrant was to be delivered to the office of the "Holy See" in Rome on Friday, February 15, 2013. It allowed the nation in question to detain Ratzinger as a suspect in a crime if he entered its sovereign territory.
3. A diplomatic note was issued by the said nation's government to the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, on Monday, February 4, 2013, informing Bertone of the impending arrest warrant and inviting his office to comply. No reply to this note was received from Cardinal Bertone or his office; but six days later, Pope Benedict resigned.
4. The agreement between our Tribunal and the said nation included a second provision to issue a commercial lien through that nation's courts against the property and wealth of the Roman Catholic church commencing on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013. This lien was to be accompanied by a public and global "Easter Reclamation Campaign" whereby Catholic church property was to be occupied and claimed by citizens as public assets forfeited under international law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
5. It is the decision of our Tribunal and the said nation's government to proceed with the arrest of Joseph Ratzinger upon his vacating the office of the Roman Pontiff on a charge of crimes against humanity and criminal conspiracy.
6. It is our further decision to proceed as well with the indictment and arrest of Joseph Ratzinger's successor as Pope on the same charges; and to enforce the commercial lien and "Easter Reclamation Campaign" against the Roman Catholic church, as planned.
In closing, our Tribunal acknowledges that Pope Benedict's complicity in criminal activities of the Vatican Bank (IOR) was compelling his eventual dismissal by the highest officials of the Vatican. But according to our sources, Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone forced Joseph Ratzinger's resignation immediately, and in direct response to the diplomatic note concerning the arrest warrant that was issued to him by the said nation's government on February 4, 2013.
We call upon all citizens and governments to assist our efforts to legally and directly disestablish the Vatican, Inc. and arrest its chief officers and clergy who are complicit in crimes against humanity and the ongoing criminal conspiracy to aid and protect child torture and trafficking.
Further bulletins on the events of the Easter Reclamation Campaign will be issued by our Office this week.
Issued 13 February, 2013
12:00 am GMT
by the Brussels Central Office
Set up by the fascist dictator Mussolini, the Vatican is little more than a refuge for pedophile asylum seekers these days.
Hmmm...
Even if this were to be true, which I doubt, all he would have to do is to avoid Brussels. The Vatican is a sovereign nation and as such would not be in danger of any such writ. The fact this is suppose to happen on Easter Sunday shows how little that this has to do with reality. Can you even begin to imagine the uproar that would occur if this were to occur?
Hoc est hariolari.
While he couldn't be apprehended (as a "head of state"), he can now have legal indictments filed against him. At least the victims will be able to have the crimes against them recorded for history.
It must feel so wonderful as a Catholic to know one's spiritual leader must hide from secular justice. I say, there is a way to redeem your participation in this religio-industrial complex: walk away. If you are so afraid your god will punish you for that act, is he really worth worshipping?
ITCCS is a sham organization comprised of one person. And, of course, the whole thing is false. No European government would issue an arrest warrant against the Pope or try to seize Vatican assets.
I looked up this supposed organization. Nothing here is real. They would like to believe that what they are saying has some international bearing but alas it has none. Just another Catholic hating organization with too much time being spent on the internet.
The 15-20 day waiting period, as noted, was to give time for the cardinals to make their way to Rome after a Pope had died. This is a totally different situation altogether. The Church knows in advance the exact date and time the Papal See becomes vacant. If they had started the process of calling the cardinals together the day after the event, they could have started the process within only a few days of the Pope's abdication. (I'm sure that for every pope, there is a plan ready to put in motion in the event a pope dies or is killed). As it is, there's been time lost so the Cardinals may have to scramble a little harder if they want to conclave to start in early March. I'd say if they want to insure a new Pope has been selected in time for Easter, they're going to need to move the conclave to the first full week in March.
It's even possible (though I doubt it) that the Pope himself will amend the Constitution (he does have the authority to do so), to designate a shorter time for the gathering of the Conclave after a resignation.
To get the conclave of to an early good start maybe they should bring up how to deal with the perverted priests and Cardinals who like to molest little children. They should offer the world to turn in now these monsters who butt fuxxed little children. They should let the world know they will not tolerate this perverted behavior. They should turn them into the police not hide them.
Why is the current Absolute Monarch allowing a known pedophile protector, Cardinal Mahony, to have a chance at the top job in the industry?
Pure evil.
you sound shocked atheist.it seems he would be a perfect replacement then.
Cardinalis Mahoney est nimis vetera. Habebunt eligendi minores Papa.
Invisible
Does that mean Cardinal Mahoney you are an A hole. If so I agree
The Conclave has no authority in such matters. Its primary purpose is to elect the new pope; it does not meet at any time except when there is a vacancy and, by the Constitution, explicitly has no authority to make ANY 'innovations' or 'changes' of law, except for those things which absolutely cannot be postponed - and even in THOSE cases, its decisions are only binding until a new pope is elected.
What compelling reasons are there to accept that any of the news flowing out of the sewers of the Vatican is honest?
This is an organization that makes things up as they go and protects the interests of pedophiles at nearly all costs.
Any nominal Catholic who gives one penny to Peter's Pence is to be ridiculed in the name of all children with sore bottoms and stolen innocence.
You'd think the circle of Cardinals would already know who they want as the next pope. Why add any drama or mystery to it? It's a job, and anyone with the qualifications should be obvious -- except the Cardinals apparently don't pay any attention to the qualifications, just the pomp and ceremony.
Pontificis electione post multum civili et exitum nescimus.
Actually, if you read the Apostolic Constitution (as I have), you would find out that any campaigning or discussion of candidates prior to the gathering of the Conclave is grounds for the individual participating in it to be expelled from the Conclave.
Oh good are they going to tweet about it ..heard the pope was a twitter ..man did that guy have a wardrobe to die for ..total fashion maven with matching accessories and all ..liked the pic of him with that wide brimmed hat that made him look a little like Pancho Villa in drag...stunning
Decet enim Papa sequenti liturgici calendario a tempore prior est religione. Recognoscere Papam hoc fragili mortalitatis salutem sapien.
Unless something strange happens, the next pope will be an old white man from Europe that will continue to coverup the mess that is the Holy Roman Catholic Church. SSDD.
Possimus, mirabimur.
Same excrementum - diversis diem?
Have. Oportet me relinquunt.
invisible hand, English language typed here, use English. That dead language crap is simply to show you need to use a dictionary, either that or you are one of the pedopilia priests. GTF out of here. Troll somewhere else.
When I see Jesus appear above the church on the day they happen to pick someone, I'll believe the next pope is for real.
It's time for a Hispanic Pope!
It is time for an American Pope. A good percentage of the church income is derived from the United States.
It's time to have no pope. Organized religion is killing our world.
It is time for a pope other than European.
I think the timing of when the Pope chose to "unPope" himself really shows just how "out of it" he has been. So if the Conclave would be able to start on March 15th and it would be best to have a new Pope chosen and "sworn in" by March 17th that gives the Conclave 2 DAYS!? This guy has been hinting at leaving since August but he chose a time period that would give 2 DAYS for the Conclave to rush in a new Pope to replace him or let the decision making period slip into the Easter Holiday? I'm barely Catholic but even I know that Easter is a big deal and the church really "does it up" for the whole "Jesus died on the cross" thing. I mean what was he thinking!? If he really knew months ago that he was going to resign why pre-plan his resignation this close to Easter? Or why not have made it immediate from the date he announced it? This definitely sounds like the decisions made by a man who has gotten a little senile an a little too old to be running on of the worlds largest religions. And frankly I disagree with the idea that any job should be till death. That is exactly how we ended up with a church that had child sex scandals to begin with. You have to stay on top of these things.
I could give a flying F* about the vatican or the pope.
"The Vatican raised the possibility Saturday that the conclave to elect the next pope might start sooner..."
wtf did I just read
With the decline of the Catholic church in Europe and North American, it seems reasonable that the next pope should come from South America.
They seem to be the only continent that is still buying what the church of Rome is selling.
Pehaps there is a catholic bishop or cardinal in South America whose name is Pouri? Pope Pouri has a nice ring to it, and smells good too.
Now all the Cardinales get to waste a few million more of all ye catholics hard earned cashola to go smoke some dope at the vatican and vote for another dope to put in office. White smoke, black smoke we all smoke the best dope.........Ell popo sick ago on thes one.........sinsemilla de mexicali busted his head open y se fue por la borda. Hopefully the new elected dope will cannonize the outgoing dope and make him glow in the dark! Relics, relics, get your pope dope relics.......
Religion is a nice fairy tale. I wish it were true. Would love to see proof. But as long as its only the word of man, and a bunch of manipulators to boot, forget it. I have no doubt many believe with all their hearts, but that doesnt make it true.
Ive seen too many snake oil salesmen with a silver tongue get people to believe the world is ending, so give me your house. There have been snake oil salesmen for as long as there have been snakes.
Perhaps he took responsibility for other peoples' problems as I remember in other cases. It seems fair that if he helped the law to correct the problems, that seems like a lot of more work that's was not really his to begin with but in my opinion he handled it well. So like I said before, that's good that we will have a new Pope and him for spiritual support. :D
I read this article and what comments are posted to see if there were any comments on the lightning strike which hit St. Peter's Basilica, and the "celestial" explosion over Russia. If there are scorch marks in pancakes that look like Jesus. corn chips that look like Jesus, freeway bridge corrosion which looks like the Virgin Mary, and other such signs which make the news for believers, the explosion over Russia has got to be at least an indication of the second coming of Elvis at the minimum. Was the Star of Bethlehem an atmospheric meteor disintegration?
All of these religions favor celestial signs, and the lightning strike and meteor event at this correspondence to the Pope's resignation, of which billions of people are aware, deserves some explanation from the non science community.