Resignation Pope, Father Lombardi: “Taken by surprise. New situation ”
The Vatican spokesman, at a press conference said that the choice of Ratzinger was “made in freedom.” “Following his work – he said – we noticed a bit of tiredness and fatigue than in the past, even if carried out to the end of all its functions”
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“The Pope took a little ‘surprise” and this is “a very unusual situation.
” He said the Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, opening a press conference following the announcement of Joseph Ratzinger you want to leave the papal throne on February 28. A decision, reportedly due to health reasons although “there is no disease.” “Following his work – he adds – we noticed a bit of tiredness and fatigue than in the past, even if carried out to the end of all its functions.” Father Lombardi, however, specifies that Benedict XVI, in recent times, “was not at all depressed, had spiritual serenity and mastery of the relationship with the treble. There were definite signs of depression or discouragement, even though it may have been touched by difficult events, but would not say what led him to decide. ”
“From March 1 – continued – after the resignation of February 28, will start the process for the election of the new Pope not now know the date of the Conclave, but obviously there will be inovendiali (the nine days of mourning after death of the Pope) so within a couple of weeks in the month of March, and then for Easter we have the new Pope. ” Ratzinger, however, “will not participate in the conclave” and will have no role “in the management of the Church during the vacancy which begins Feb. 28 at 20. The Apostolic Constitution does not require that there is a role for the Pope to resign. ”
When you leave the papacy and start the vacant seat, then will move to Castel Gandolfo and “later, when I finished the work, which was the seat of the monastery of cloistered nuns on the Vatican hill.” But should not be considered “confined in any way – because, he explained Lombardi – will have its normal freedom. Certainly it is a new situation, we see that the live. I can not say anything you will, “but” he has repeatedly said he wanted to devote his old age to write, study, and I imagine she will. ” After his resignation, moreover, “it is reasonable to think that could be called a retired bishop of Rome, but since there are no previous I can not say with any certainty about this” and it is certain that the risk of interference with the Pope resigned the government of his successor is not real and “Benedict XVI will be very careful and able to avoid it in any way.” Interview in the book ‘Light of the World’, the Pope had replied to a question about his possible resignation in the midst of controversy over the abuse scandal made by religious, explaining that there resigns in a moment of danger, just in a moment of serenity or “when simply will not do anymore.”
“The brief statement of the Pope was listened to with bated breath by these and I think for the most part of the cardinals present” for the consistory for the canonization of the martyrs of Otranto “had no information about what was going to announce.” The basis of his decision “a personal, profound, taken in a climate of prayer,” there was “an examination of conscience on his own strength in relation to the ministry to do.” Father Lombardi explained that in his words, the Pope went back to the code of canon law, with a “formal declaration from the legal point of view important. In fact, canon 332 paragraph 2 reads: “if the Roman Pontiff waives his office, it is required for validity that the resignation is made freely and properly manifested spade, is not required to be accepted by anyone.” The words of Benedict XVI according to Father Lombardi “indicates a choice made freely” and were met “with a great deal of admiration for the great courage, freedom of spirit and great sense of responsibility for his ministry.” His was “a great testimony of spiritual freedom, a greater awareness of the problems of the government of the Church in today’s world.”