Does anyone else feel like the Pope's timing was

[sonrisa]

perfect? Since lent is a season of prayer and reflection as well as penance.  Perfect for the cardinals to pray and reflect on what the church needs, then comes the rebirth of Easter with a new pope. I like that he didn't announce on Mardi Gras or Ash Wednesday so it doesn't take over either day.

[Deleted]

Oh. I thought you were going to say suspicious.

[toepick]

I think the fact that there might not be a Pope by Easter makes his timing poor.

[pooh8402]

Feb 12, 2013 11:18:03 GMT -5 toepick said:

I think the fact that there might not be a Pope by Easter makes his timing poor.

Agreed. Wait until after the BIGGEST holiday on the Christian calendar.

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[alzi]

Feb 12, 2013 11:16:23 GMT -5 elle said:

Oh. I thought you were going to say suspicious.

Haha, yup.

[luckyval]

Feb 12, 2013 11:11:01 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

 Perfect for the cardinals to pray and reflect on what the church needs

I really like this sentiment, but I also think its optimistic to think that the cardinals will take this nearly unprecedented news to reflect on the real needs for the church's future

[Jalapeñomel]

Seems crazy to me considering Easter is the most important Catholic holiday.

[Deleted]

I bet it has something to do with North Korea.

[karmasabiotch]

It sounds like his health made the timing necessary.

[Deleted]

Feb 12, 2013 11:30:26 GMT -5 luckyval said:

Feb 12, 2013 11:11:01 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

 Perfect for the cardinals to pray and reflect on what the church needs

I really like this sentiment, but I also think its optimistic to think that the cardinals will take this nearly unprecedented news to reflect on the real needs for the church's future

 i think they absolutely will.  but, given the trend in cardinal promotion and overall more conservative tilt of the church recently, i'm pretty sure they won't come the same conclusion about the "real needs for the church's future" as, like, everyone in america.

[thebamker]

I agree with you sonrisa.

Also - I bet my priest will still have mass on easter, and my easter will be EXACTLY the same as it would have been with a Pope. It's not like he comes to your house and gives you a personal easter blessing. It will be ok guys. I'm sure we've been Pope-less over an easter before.

[charethcutestory]

Feb 12, 2013 11:23:36 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

Feb 12, 2013 11:18:03 GMT -5 toepick said:

I think the fact that there might not be a Pope by Easter makes his timing poor.

Agreed. Wait until after the BIGGEST holiday on the Christian calendar.

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Meh. Lent in the Vatican is crazy busy. If he had to move up his midnight mass on Christmas there is no way he could have made it through Holy Week without keeling over. It's non-stop public responsibility.

[sonrisa]

Feb 12, 2013 11:18:03 GMT -5 toepick said:

I think the fact that there might not be a Pope by Easter makes his timing poor.

That is possible, but really unlikely. The past 10 papal conclaves lasted 5 days or less, usually 2 or 3 days. He left more than 40 days before Easter.

[ProfessorArtNerd]

I've been apologizing to my students in advance- I'll be teaching about the architecture of st. Peter's while theres a conclave goin on all up in it. Insufferable. I live for papal history

[toepick]

I am no expert, but I read that rules put into place by Pope Benedict may make it more difficult to elect the new pope if the conclave is very divided:

"Benedict in 2007 passed a decree requiring a two-thirds majority to elect a pope, changing the rules established by John Paul in which the voting could shift to a simple majority after about 12 days of inconclusive balloting. Benedict did so to prevent cardinals from merely holding out until the 12 days had passed to push through a candidate who had only a slim majority."