Pope Benedict's announcement: An act of humility

By Communications Department - Archdiocese of Miami

Statement from Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski on the announced resignation of Pope Benedict XVI:

While it was surprising to wake up to the news that Pope Benedict XVI had announced he would resign as pope effective Feb. 28, upon further reflection it is not so surprising. When he was still Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he had indicated many times that his intentions were to retire at the conclusion of Pope John Paul II�s pontificate. So he did not go into the conclave expecting to be elected pope but accepted it as the will of God.

Like his predecessor Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict has given us a great example of humility with this announcement. There was certainly much humility in John Paul II embracing the papacy in spite of all the physical limitations he experienced, especially during the last few years of his pontificate. But it is also a great gesture of humility on the part of Benedict, when he says that his limitations do not permit him to continue at this point. Although they were close collaborators for many years, both popes had two very different personalities. One was an extrovert. One is an introvert. Both have given us a witness of humility in keeping with their own particular personality and character.

While it is not usual for a pope to retire while in office, it is also not unheard of, as it has happened a few times in history. But it is also not usual to have a pope who is 85 years old. So even though the announcement is surprising, looking at it from that perspective makes it understandable. It is also a fact that since the Second Vatican Council, bishops have to submit their resignation to the pope when they reach the age of 75. Benedict is the bishop of Rome.

I believe the timing of this announcement will make for a very smooth transition for the Catholic Church. We are about to begin the Lenten season, and Pope Benedict has given two weeks� notice, as it were. This affords a sufficient amount of time for the cardinals to hold a conclave, elect a new pope and have him in place by Holy Week and Easter.

So in addition to our usual Lenten acts of prayer, fasting and penance, I would ask all Catholics to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the cardinals as they gather in a few weeks to elect a new successor to Peter. I also ask that we pray for Pope Benedict as he concludes his pontificate and looks forward to a quieter, less stressful life of prayer and study. We thank him for guiding the barque of Peter through turbulent waters these past eight years, for stressing the need for a �new evangelization� of our modern, secular world, and for continuing to remind us that Christianity is not simply about adherence to rules but about coming to intimate knowledge of a person: the person of Jesus Christ, God�s word incarnate.