Auf Wiedersehn Pope

From the BBC:
"Benedict XVI resignation: The two-pope problem"

The Pope has resigned because he felt he was no longer up to the demands the office made on him.

That hasn't happened in 600 years.  There are those in the Church who well might exploit such ambiguities were the new pontiff to choose a very different path from that of his predecessor on, for example, the role of women in the Church or - rather less contentious - the promotion of the traditional Latin liturgy.  A (very) short lesson in Catholic theology is necessary : the rank of deacon, priest and bishop is regarded as sacramental, on a par with baptism or marriage. A bishop can resign his job, as can a priest, but theologically, says the Church, they are still bishops or priests. But being pope, however, is an office, it is not a sacramental status.  The pope is pope because he is bishop of Rome. He can stop being bishop of Rome (all other bishops are expected to submit their resignation at 75), and therefore can stop being pope. Many people expected that Papa Ratzinger would revert back to being Cardinal Ratzinger, which is what happened to two rival popes in 1415. Instead of that sensible solution, it has been announced he will be "Pontiff emeritus", dress in white and be called "Your Holiness", hopelessly muddying the waters and making him appear a quasi, alternative pope.

The confusion gets worse. Benedict is keeping his private secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein.

The new pope may well find such proximity uncomfortable, feeling obliged to consult him especially on subjects Benedict made his own, the creation of the "Ordinariat" to receive Romeward-bound Anglicans, for example, or the controversial reintroduction of Latin into the Catholic liturgy.

^   So long, farewell, auf wiedersehn, good bye - Pope. I hope the new one continues what Pope John Paul 2 did and doesn't set us back many years like the last one did. ^

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21616503