Vatican
City, 11 February 2013 (VIS) - Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the
Holy See Press Office, commented there and on Vatican Radio on
Benedict XVI's resignation of the papacy. "Among the reasons for
the Pope's resignation, as he noted in his own words," he said,
"are the circumstances of today's world that, in relation to the
past, are particularly difficult, both because of the speed as well
as the number of events and problems that arise that, therefore, need
a vigour, perhaps stronger than in the past. It is a vigour that the
Pope says he has felt diminish in him in recent months."
He
continued, "The phrase: 'well aware of the seriousness of this
act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of
Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter,' is very significant This
is the formal declaration, which is important from a juridical point
of view. In paragrapgh 2 of canon 332 of the Code of Canon Law, we
read: 'Should it happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns from his
office, it is required for validity that the resignation be freely
made and properly manifested, but it is not necessary that it be
accepted by anyone.' The two fundamental points are, therefore,
freedom and due manifestation. Freedom and public manifestation, and
the consistory in which the Pope manifested his will is public."
"Benedict
XVI will continue to fully carry out his functions and his service
until 28 February at 8:00pm. From that moment on the situation of
Sede Vacante will begin, regulated, from a legal and canonical
standpoint, by the texts referring to Sede Vacante in the Code of
Canon Law and the Apostolic Constitution 'Universi dominici gregis'
by John Paul II, regarding the Sede Vacante of the Apostolic See."
"The
Pope's announcement is consistent with what he declared in the book
'Light of the World' by Peter Seewald, based on interviews with
Benedict XVI. Seewald posed two precise questions on the hypothesis
of resignation. In the first, he asked the Holy Father whether, in
difficult situations that weigh on the pontificate in progress, the
Pope would consider resigning. Benedict's response was: 'When the
danger is great, one cannot escape. For this reason, surely, this
would not be the time to resign' (he was referring to the question of
sexual abuse, etc.). Moments like this are the times when one has to
be strong and face the difficult situation. This is what I think. One
can resign in a time of peace, or when one simply no longer has the
strength, but one cannot escape in a moment of danger saying 'someone
else take care of it'. In any case, the Pope said that the
difficulties would not be, for him, a motive for resignation; rather,
they would be a reason not to. Seewald's second question was: 'Well
then, can you imagine a situation in which you would think that a
Pope could resign?' The Holy Father responded: 'When a Pope realizes
clearly that he is no longer physically, mentally, and spiritually
capable of carrying out his role, then there is legally the
possibility, and also the obligation, to resign.'"
The
Director of the Holy See's Press Office explained that the Holy
Father "will move to Castel Gandolfo on 28 February, and, once
he has finished the tasks he has in progress, he will take up
residence in the former cloistered monastery in the Vatican. The
process for the election of a new Pope will begin on1 March. We do
not yet know the exact date of the conclave, but obviously there will
be no need to wait the normal eight days of mourning (novendali)
after the death of the Pope. Thus, in two weeks, during the month of
March, in time for Easter, we will have a new Pope ... Benedict XVI
will have no role in next March's conclave, nor in the running of the
Church during the time between popes, the time of Sede Vacante. The
Apostolic Constitution gives no role in this transition to a pope who
resigns."
"Personally,"
he concluded, "I received the announcement of the Pope's
resignation with great admiration, for its great valour, for the Holy
Father's freedom of spirit and great concern for the responsibility
of his ministry. Benedict XVI has offered us a great witness of
spiritual freedom, of great wisdom in regard to Church government in
today's world."
The
news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used,
in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:
V.I.S.
-Vatican Information Service.
Copyright
© Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City
