I don't have a category for ecclesiastical law, because how often does one comment on such issues? Well today is one of those days. The Pope is resigning for health reasons.
This is only the second time in history (Pope Gregory XII who resigned in 1415), and the first time in modern history.
Update: The next pope will most likely be from Africa: Ghana or Nigeria. Of course, we will not know until the final count.
Update2: Apparently, there have been four (4) papal resignations in history, all of them in the very distant past. A catholic scholar whose knowledge I trust tells me that of these, only one was a true resignation, Celestine V.
Also - I should note that a Canadian is also in the running for Pope.
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