For the first time since the Western Schism, nearly 600 years ago, the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church has resigned from his office. The Vatican has stated that he will officially cease to be Pope at 8 pm on February 28. Pope Benedict cited his age and waning health as his primary motivation for resigning. As this is such a rare occurance, what Benedict’s role in the church will be after his resignation can only be speculated at. He will continue to live in the Vatican, and his private secretary will continue to serve in this capacity as well as be the prefect for the new pope’s household. This suggests to some that Benedict will continue to exert at least some degree of influence over the inner workings of the Vatican.
“As Pope John Paul diminished, rival cardinals jockeyed for position and influence,” wrote Reverend Patrick J. Howell, Dean of Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry. “Cardinal Ratzinger provided a degree of stability and sanity in the midst of the elbowing for position. So now, as pope, he undoubtedly didn’t want to see this unseemly upheaval occur again.”
