Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE POPE’S brother Georg Ratzinger says the pontiff had been advised by his doctor not to take any more transatlantic trips and had been considering stepping down for months.
Pope Benedict XVI announced today that he would resign effective February 28, with details of a conclave to elect his successor not yet announced.
Talking from his home in Regensburg to the news agency DPA, 89-year-old priest Georg Ratzinger said his brother was having increasing difficulty walking and that his resignation was part of a “natural process.”
“His age is weighing on him,” the 89-year-old said of his 85-year-old brother. “At this age my brother wants more rest.”
In recent times Benedict, born Joseph Ratzinger, had been using an indoor vehicle to travel the lengths of the massive St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Georg Ratzinger did not answer calls seeking further comment.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Irregardless of what you think of him or the Church. The role is a very demanding one, especially give that he is 85. It would be a job that would burn out a 30 year old.
Don’t you think he shouldn’t have been discouraging Pope John Paul II from standing down then when he was suffering from Parkinson’s disease?
“Irregardless” is not a word.
Give the job to a 30 year old now for 5 years subject to re-election. Let him or her be elected by all Catholics around the world with proper manifestos and debates on TV. We have some chance of that happening !!!.
If he really was the closest man on Earth to god, surely this god would preserve his health?
Not much Free Thinking with that view.
Try making some sense.
I think every catholic should get a vote on the next one, a good old mud slinging campaign with a televised debate between the lads in the frame would make fantastic viewing. Get their individual manifestos & campaign slogans/posters up & running. Come on Rome do the right thing & open it up to all catholics not just the chosen few that have slept their way to the top, you know we are ready for this.!
Yes ‘Celibacy Get me out of here!’ Haha
But I would prefer a more krypton factor style/ Crystal Maze approach, with a dash of fun house,
Leaving both the Catholics and the Nazi party in one lifetime, nice one Benny
I didn’t know Cyril Cusack was related to the Pope….
I wonder. Being his brother and all, does he still have to kiss his ring ?
Fingers it :p
It’s great to see him go however, he is likely to be replaced by another old man that hid child abuse. What they need a is a 40 yo female or gay person to take on the role. Restore so credibility to the most corrupt organisation in the world ( apart from the Republican Party in US ). How you think about a popess???
What will his new name be. Still Pope Benedict? Father Joe? The normal priest Joe formerly known as Pope Benedict?
And also, you’d think he might have made his brother a bishop or a cardinal or something.
All that mysogyny and homophobia really takes it out of you, apparently.
Does he still get a pension? Only kidding, enjoy the rest Benny, it’s been emotional
Pontiff…..the word always reminds me of the guy from the late late who told plank he was pontificating….
They may have been advised to go for a father trendy type. You know strums a few cords of blowin the wind and wears sandals.
The Chuckle Brothers
He needs to eat some spuds I reckon
have your say