can the pope quite?

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Is the Pope elected for a lifetime and can his reign only be ended by his death? I wondered, because the reigning Pope does not seem to able to do anything (talk, move, think) anymore but is still planning a new tour (yeah I know that sounds bit pop for pope). Does he have to?

― erik, Thursday, 20 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Can the Pope quite what? I expect you mean "Can the Pope quite literally quit?" to which my answer is: I haven't the faintest idea. I suspect that if he went mad and started trying to make pronouncements like "All priests must be buggered by Satan" the seniors in the church would quietly lock him away and gently but firmly kill him.

I wonder if there is a temptation to quit and parlay it all into money and global celebrity (of a new kind) and groupies and stuff.

― Martin Skidmore, Thursday, 20 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

If G-d gives the Pope the message to resign, he can.

― anthony, Thursday, 20 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Popes used to quit all the time - usually to spend more time with their families.

― Nathan Barley, Thursday, 20 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

If god-damn gives the message? I suspect when little Calvino pipes up about pizza and movie night at the vatican John Paul will probably retire.

― Ms. S., Thursday, 20 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I think the precedent for non-death-ending reign is there; for example, Benedict IX (pope in the Middle Ages) apparently resigned. I would assume also that there are probably provisions out there that if the Pope is of totally unsound mind or total incapacitation, etc.

However, I think for all the reigns of the Popes in the last 300 years at least, these have ended through death only.

― Joe, Thursday, 20 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

well, actually I was looking for a job, give some new direction to my life...I think I need a break

― erik, Friday, 21 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

gently but firmly kill him

heh i wuv Martin.

― katie, Friday, 21 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

one year passes...

A Pope can abdicate if he is unable to fulfill the requirements of his ministry for reasons of health, physical or mental.

― PaulCyp, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 21:38 (twenty-two years ago)

nine years pass...

well then

― piscesx, Monday, 11 February 2013 11:02 (thirteen years ago)

we got this...
POPE TO RESIGN WTF?

― "Did you see the sign on my car park that said 'Dead King Storage'?" (snoball), Monday, 11 February 2013 11:10 (thirteen years ago)

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