Pope Benedict XVI is the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years, the last being Gregory XII in 1415.
“I think everybody was shocked just because it’s so out of the ordinary,” said Erik Larson, associate professor and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at FIU.
Although being pope is usually considered a lifetime position, Benedict XVI cited his advanced age and declining health as the reason for his resignation.
“It’s typically a job for life, and a call from God, but if you’re feeling that you’re not mentally and physically equipped to do the job, I think it’s in the best interests of the Catholic church to resign,” said Katie Pals, a graduate Religious Studies student.
Though Benedict XVI did recently have surgery to replace the battery in his pacemaker, Albert Wuaku, a Religious Studies assistant professor, suspects there is something the public hasn’t yet been told.
“My sense is that there might be more to it, and maybe with time we’ll get to know a little bit more about what his condition is really about,” he said.
Evelyn Arhin-Sam, a Religious Studies grad student, believes the pope’s German upbringing is a contributing factor to his resignation.
“If Germans feel they are unable to perform, they will let it go for someone else. I think that influenced the pope’s resignation because he is fragile, ill – he feels he’s incompetent,” she said.
Vatican officials are hoping to have a replacement by Easter. The New York Times identified a few early frontrunners to take Benedict XVI’s place coming from Ghana, the US, Canada, Argentina, Austria, and Italy.
“I’m from Ghana, and I hear there’s a Ghanaian potential candidate. Nationally, it’s a symbol of pride,” said Wuaku.
Benedict XVI, stepping down at the age of 85, gives opportunity for someone younger to be chosen.
Mark Sweeney, a 24-year-old grad student, believes youth is important for the new pope to have.
“It’s not just him being young, but him looking at the future generations of Catholics, not just the seniors and the older adults,” he said.
Benedict XVI, known for being an intellectual pope, was considered by some for being even more conservative than his predecessor, John II. Since he took the title of pope in 2005, his reign has been littered with criticism regarding his handling of sexual abuse incidents within the Catholic church as well as his butler leaking private documents to an Italian journalist.
“I think everybody recognizes they need somebody with a lot of personal charisma. Pope John Paul is remembered as somebody who could bring people in and make the message of the church relevant for today, so people would like that again,” said Larson.
Larson believes that this may set the trend for future popes to step down if they feel they are not able.
“There is something good that may come from all of this,” he said.
