VATICAN CITY
Chiesa
VATICAN CITY, March 16, 2012 – A bit of buzz has been generated around two articles that appeared recently in Italy, advancing the hypothesis that Benedict XVI might resign, in part for the sake of influencing the choice of his successor.
The authors of these articles are Giuliano Ferrara, in the newspaper that he directs, “Il Foglio,” on March 10:
> Le dimissioni del papa
and Antonio Socci in the newspaper “Libero,” on March 11:
> Le (im)possibili dimissioni del papa
Ferrara is not a believer, Socci is a militant Catholic. Both are known for their sincere admiration of pope Joseph Ratzinger.
But beyond the good intentions of both, the hypothesis that they foreshadow does not appear to have any foundation.
For one thing, because anyone who has had an opportunity to meet with Benedict XVI, including after the publication of the two articles, has not at all gotten the impression of being in the presence of a pope who is thinking about resigning. Far from it. Both because of his ability to grasp the necessary connections for every act of governance, and because of the temporally unrestricted scope with which, always “God willing,” he proceeds in the leadership of the universal Church.
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