Question about the Pope

[Horse with no Name]

Sorry I have been sick and missed the conversations. But as I understand it, when Ratzinger "retires", then he will have an enclave built inside the Vatican and not be accessible to anyone anywhere.

So, basically, this is a self-imposed exile and regardless of any more accusations or allegations regarding the sex abuse....Ratzinger will officially be "off limits"?

[Dpm12]

1. No

He's going back to a cardinal is all. And he can't elect the next pope

[freshwest]

2. Do you think he'll return to his home country? He looks very ill.

[Horse with no Name]

4. I posted above

Even though this hasn't happened since the 1400's, there is a protocol in place. He will live out his days in a special enclave without any more contact with the outside world.

[freshwest]

5. Or maybe he's too sick to travel. Just thought he'd like to visit home near the end.

I'm sure he's not being imprisoned, or anything like that for any reason by the Vatican people. I was surfing the net and there was some speculation as to who they might choose, but I'll bet none of that was from the ones really choosing.

[Horse with no Name]

6. Actually Rachel said that was the protocol as written in whatever book holds the procedures

for ex-Popes, lol.

I don't think it is an imprisonment--just something along the line of monks living in monasteries type deal.
It was on the heels of her reporting about the abuses that this Pope helped to cover up and considering that the Popes generally don't do this...they serve until they die--makes me wonder if he was seeking an exile of sorts.

I would think that the procedures have more to do with security than anything else.

[freshwest]

7. I think that's not a good way to go out. Still think he's not much longer for this world from this:

Seems their lives are lousy with all the ceremony and rules they are trapped by. Like being crushed under that head piece and ton of rituals.

I thought the previous Pope enjoyed his work and loved being around people. Of course he got terribly wounded and then they were somewhat less open.

This Pope seems to be the one who was left holding the bag for centuries of very bad things going on. So many lives ruined and the stories keep coming out and their shame is neverending now.

I don't know if the Vatican and Church have really fallen apart or not. Since I'm not a Catholic, etc. I don't take this all that seriously in my life. But the Church has loomed so large in history and I wonder if this means something more.

[Horse with no Name]

8. I too find it fascinating

Interesting perspective on the sins that happened before him...it will be interesting if the church goes back in history or forward to the future.

[Horse with no Name]

3. Rachel said last night that there is a special Pope protocol

He will go to a vacation home owned by the Vatican while a special enclave is built inside the Vatican. Upon his return he will live there and have no more contact with the outside world.