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REASONS OF POPE'S RESIGNATION ARE OBVIOUS. ARCHBISHOP RAPHAEL MINASSIAN
19:53, 12 February, 2013
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI
shocked Catholic world, though reasons of his decision are clear
for all. This was noted by His Eminence Archbishop Rafael Minassian,
leader of the Armenian Catholic Church in Armenia, Georgia and Eastern
Europe in the interview with Armenpress. In his words, the motive of
Pope's resignation is obvious. "The main reason of the resignation
of Benedict XVI was his health," Archbishop underlined.
His Eminence Archbishop Rafael Minassian noted "Armenian Catholic
Church have always been and will be one body with Catholic Church. We
are united and our relations are long-lasting".
Pope Benedict XVI said Monday he lacks the strength to fulfill his
duties and on February 28 will become the first pontiff in 600 years
to resign. The announcement sets the stage for a conclave in March
to elect a new leader for world's 1 billion Catholics.
The 85-year-old pope announced the bombshell in Latin during a meeting
of Vatican cardinals, surprising even his closest collaborators,
even though Benedict had made clear in the past he would step down
if he became too old or infirm to do the job.
Benedict called his choice "a decision of great importance for the
life of the church."
Indeed, the move allows the Vatican to hold a conclave before Easter
to elect a new pope, since the traditional mourning time that would
follow the death of a pope doesn't have to be observed.
It will also allow Benedict to hold great sway over the choice of
his successor. He has already hand-picked the bulk of the College of
Cardinals, the princes of the church who will elect the next pope,
to guarantee his conservative legacy and ensure an orthodox future
for the church.
New pope will probably be elected by the end of March, a Vatican
spokesman said on Monday, after Pope Benedict XVI announced about
his resignation. As reports Armenpress after resigning, the former
pope will move to a summer residence near Rome.
There are several papal contenders in the wings, but no obvious
front-runner, the same situation when Benedict was elected pontiff
in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II.
19:53, 12 February, 2013
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI
shocked Catholic world, though reasons of his decision are clear
for all. This was noted by His Eminence Archbishop Rafael Minassian,
leader of the Armenian Catholic Church in Armenia, Georgia and Eastern
Europe in the interview with Armenpress. In his words, the motive of
Pope's resignation is obvious. "The main reason of the resignation
of Benedict XVI was his health," Archbishop underlined.
His Eminence Archbishop Rafael Minassian noted "Armenian Catholic
Church have always been and will be one body with Catholic Church. We
are united and our relations are long-lasting".
Pope Benedict XVI said Monday he lacks the strength to fulfill his
duties and on February 28 will become the first pontiff in 600 years
to resign. The announcement sets the stage for a conclave in March
to elect a new leader for world's 1 billion Catholics.
The 85-year-old pope announced the bombshell in Latin during a meeting
of Vatican cardinals, surprising even his closest collaborators,
even though Benedict had made clear in the past he would step down
if he became too old or infirm to do the job.
Benedict called his choice "a decision of great importance for the
life of the church."
Indeed, the move allows the Vatican to hold a conclave before Easter
to elect a new pope, since the traditional mourning time that would
follow the death of a pope doesn't have to be observed.
It will also allow Benedict to hold great sway over the choice of
his successor. He has already hand-picked the bulk of the College of
Cardinals, the princes of the church who will elect the next pope,
to guarantee his conservative legacy and ensure an orthodox future
for the church.
New pope will probably be elected by the end of March, a Vatican
spokesman said on Monday, after Pope Benedict XVI announced about
his resignation. As reports Armenpress after resigning, the former
pope will move to a summer residence near Rome.
There are several papal contenders in the wings, but no obvious
front-runner, the same situation when Benedict was elected pontiff
in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II.