Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI was cultivated beforehand

Though the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI is a surprise for the Romano-Catholic Christians, those who were attentive to the discourses of the pontific could see that he started to cultivate the idea of resignation a period of time ago, Info-Prim Neo (IPN) reports. General vicar of the Romano-Catholic bishopric of Moldova Benone Farcas told IPN that Pope Benedict XVI, in an interview in 2010, said he will resign when his human capacities require this, but he didn’t make clear statements in this respect. He said that the Pope’s resignation will not bring major changes in the Romano-Catholic Church as there is a procedure ensuring the passing of the pontificate from a person to another. “The Pope’s dismissal was a surprise for the Romano-Catholic Christians because something like this hasn’t happened for 600 years. Pope Gregory II resigned in 1415, wanting to bring a conflict in the church to an end,” said the general vicar. Benone Farcas also said that the Pope’s gesture may serve as an impetus for other Popes, who will renounce the post when they reach a critical moment in life, as regards their health. “We cannot say that it is a modernization of the Romano-Catholic Church or a new element. The possibility of resigning has always existed in the canonic church norms and is stipulated in the Code of Canonic Law. It is rather an adaptation of the church to the modern necessities of presenting the Bible message,” explained the vicar. He also said that the Romano-Catholic Church will remember Pope Benedict XVI as a professor and theologist who laid great emphasis on strengthening the real values of church. Despite the attacks to which he was exposed, he knew how to keep a robust balance. Benone Farcas said the procedure for electing the new Pope will start in 15 days of the official resignation of the Pope. There will be convoked the Conclave, which is the assembly of all the cardinals who didn’t reach 80, to initiate the given procedure. After resignation, Pope Benedict XVI will not be able to form part of the Conclave, but will continue to work as Emeritus Episcope of Rome. He will not have effective, but only liturgical power. The Pontiff announced his resignation on February 11, invoking health reasons.