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Dead Seriousness News: Pope Benedict XVI Resigns Papacy, Converts To Islam
HOLY SEE In a shocking press conference Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI revealed to the world that he will be stepping down from the Catholic Churchs highest office. Through prayer and reflection over the past years, the worlds holiest man began, Ive realized that Allah is the one true God.
Amid clattering camera shutters and roaring reporters, Pope Benedict patiently answered questions, citing traditional Muslim folklore as well as passages from the Quran to explain his decision. His session was interrupted only once, when he swiveled South-East to face Mecca, stooped to the ground, and recited the Asr, one of the five daily prayers central to Muslim belief.
The startling reversal comes as a shock to many familiar with the Popes policies on Islam. Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached, the Bishop of the Vatican famously said of Islam in his 2006 lecture Faith, Reason and the UniversityMemories and Reflections.
When asked about the quote, Pope Benedict sighed with good-humored remorse and chuckled quietly to himself: Yeah Ive regretted that for some time. But I was young and naïve I see things much clearer now. Besides, Ive always kinda liked the thought of having a sword. The Cardinals were a real pain on that one.
When asked whether he would be reverting to his born name, Pope Benedict enthusiastically interjected. Ive decided to change my name to Sajjad Sayyid Ratzinger, His Ex-Holiness explained. Im keeping my surname purely for logistical reasons, so my Facebook friends and Twitter followers wont be confused.
His transition hasnt been without opposition. Hours after the press conference, a special Fox and Friends segment aired on FOXNEWS, featuring a picture of the Pope photoshopped to include stereotypical Islāmic features, including: a turban in place of his mitre, darkened complexion, black hair, and Arabic letters spelling out an endorsement of Barack Hussein Obama tattooed across his chest. Beneath the picture, the panel discussed the possible involvement of Pope Benedict XVI, 85, in 9/11. The segments title, The Holy Heathen, emblazoned the lower left corner of the screen.
This morning, newspapers nationwide featured an editorial by Bill OReilly detailing the parallels between the Popes betrayal of God-loving Christians everywhere with the betrayal of the American people and the Constitution by Benedict Arnold, his liberal agenda, and his radical left-wing entourage.
BBC News - Papal inbox: Priorities for Pope Francis
14 March 2013 Last updated at 07:38 GMT
By Michael Hirst
BBC News
One of the challenges for the new Pope will be prioritising his agenda
Pope Francis
Pope Francis takes the helm at a difficult time for the Catholic Church.
In the West, the Church is struggling to fill pews as congregations dwindle, while the number of priests is also falling.
Meanwhile, the rise of evangelical Churches, especially in Latin America and Africa, is checking the growth of Catholic congregations, which are also threatened in some areas by religious intolerance.
Benedict XVI rejected calls for a debate on the issue of clerical celibacy, and reaffirmed the ban on Communion for divorced Catholics who remarry.
Equality laws being debated in several Western countries are a major issue. Benedict XVI has said the Church's strict positions on abortion, euthanasia and homosexuality are "not negotiable", and such outspoken orthodoxy has alienated liberal-minded Catholics.
And the new Pope is tasked with shoring up confidence in an institution that has been rocked for years by the sexual abuse of minors by priests.
Here are some of the major issues facing Pope Francis.
Managing the Vatican
The leaks by Paolo Gabriele (bottom left) revealed allegations of corruption and mismanagement
The recent leaking of Vatican documents by the pope emeritus' butler has exposed the Church's central government - the Curia - as a seriously dysfunctional institution.
It appears to be "riddled with rival factions and there were accusations of corruption in high places", says veteran Vatican analyst Clifford Longley.
"The reform of the Vatican, which Benedict XVI only began at the margins, has a long way to go yet," says Mr Longley. "Decentralisation is now imperative. His successor has a huge and unenviable task."
Systems of oversight need to be put in place to ensure corruption is detected and halted, while Vatican financial transactions need to be made more transparent.
Equality laws
Critics say equality laws could lead to discrimination against Christians
"The one issue which overshadows all others is the growing pressure on Catholics because of equality laws in the West," says Catholic commentator Austen Ivereigh.
Gay marriage legislation in France and the UK, the closure of Catholic adoption agencies in the UK, the battle in US courts between leading Catholic institutions and the State over sexual equality are all serving to have a chilling effect on the Church in the West, he says.
"Equality laws such as same-sex marriage make Christians and church organisations vulnerable to lawsuits and anti-discrimination claims."
Ultimately, says Mr Ivereigh, the State could be developing positions through equality legislation that will serve to marginalise Catholics and the presence of the Church in public life.
"There is no bigger file in the Pope's inbox," he says.
Sex abuse
Some feel the Catholic Church has failed to deal properly with child sex allegations
As pope, Benedict XVI spoke of the Church's shame for "unspeakable crimes" committed by paedophile priests, as well as offering heartfelt apologies to victims, groups of whom he has met during his trips overseas.
But many critics feel the Vatican was - and still is - far too slow, too reluctant and too secretive when it comes to acknowledging and investigating sexual abuse.
Pope Francis has the task of continuing to ensure perpetrators are held to account, and to ensure the changes introduced by his predecessor are implemented - particularly when it comes to bishops signing up to child protection guidelines.
David Clohessy, Executive Director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, told the BBC: "The new pontiff must do more to safeguard children.
"He should stop issuing apologies and making gestures, and instead demote bishops who continue to conceal heinous crimes.
"And he should insist that prelates work with secular authorities to craft and pass stronger child sex laws across the globe."
The role of women
Benedict XVI acknowledged progress on promoting women within the Church - particularly in its administrative bodies - was too slow.
The Church's treatment of pro-reform nuns has caused a scandal in the United States
In 2007 he pointed out that while Jesus chose 12 men as apostles, "among the disciples many women were also chosen. They played an active role within the context of Jesus's mission".
Despite this, though, he has refused to countenance women priests, delivering a fierce rebuke last year to Catholics who challenged the Church's teaching.
And while certain women have risen to posts in the Vatican, others considered "difficult" have been removed, says Dr Gemma Simmonds, Director of the UK's Religious Life Institute.
An investigation into statements made by a group of Catholic nuns in the US on homosexuality and the male-only priesthood caused controversy. Fr Drew Christiansen, a Jesuit priest and visiting scholar at Boston College, says it is one of the key shortcomings of the pontificate.
"The USA owes a huge debt to generous, heroic sisters who have dedicated their lives to offering education, healthcare and pastoral provision only to be subjected to an intrusive, inherently hostile process of investigation for alleged doctrinal errors," says Dr Simmonds.
"The contrast between their treatment and that of paedophile clergy has caused widespread scandal."
It is widely acknowledged that a culture shift needs to take place within the Vatican, and Pope Francis will be expected to promote women into senior management positions in the Curia.
Interfaith tensions
The welfare of persecuted Christians around the world, particularly in troubled areas of the Middle East, Asia and Africa, will be a major issue for the new Pope.
The exodus of Christians from the Holy Land will be a troubling issue for Pope Francis
The ongoing exodus of Christians from the Holy Land will add significance to the Pope's approach to relations with Jews and Muslims.
Pope Benedict was only the second Pope to enter an Islamic holy site when he visited the Blue Mosque in Istanbul in 2006, joining Muslims in silent prayer.
Such a bridge-building attempt was not welcomed in some Muslim circles, particularly coming shortly after the Pope quoted from a 14th-century Byzantine emperor who labelled the Prophet Muhammad "evil and inhuman".
Pope Francis will be challenged to find common ground with Islam, which is on the rise in Africa and Asia where Roman Catholicism has a large base.
Benedict XVI irked Jews by forwarding the path of Pope Pius XII to sainthood despite criticisms that the wartime Pope did not do enough to prevent the Holocaust. He also angered some in the Church of England by encouraging those disaffected with Anglicanism to convert to Catholicism.
In general, relations with Anglicans and Jews seem to be on a good footing. But the new Pope will have to tread carefully to build bridges with the Muslim world while not alienating Jews and without being seen to pander to Islamic extremism.
Smaller congregations, fewer priests
The new Pope will be expected to embrace modern technology
There are 1.2 billion Catholics around the world, a large proportion of whom (42%) come from Latin America. Europe, Catholicism's historic heartland, is now home to just a quarter of Catholics.
However, Benedict XVI seemed reasonably untroubled by this numerical decline, envisioning a smaller, but more faithful, Church.
Key for his successor will be to consolidate this changing position of the Church within society. As it becomes more distant from official institutions, says Austen Ivereigh, the Church will have to ensure that those within the pews - and those who lead them - are well supported.
Similarly, it must continue to ensure it takes advantage of modern technology to spread its message.
The appointment of Fox News' Rome correspondent Greg Burke as an adviser in 2012 signalled a modern communications strategy at the heart of Vatican decision-making that had previously been lacking. And then the Pope took to Twitter.
Pope Francis will be expected to take a similarly enthusiastic approach to modern technology.
HOLY SEE In a shocking press conference Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI revealed to the world that he will be stepping down from the Catholic Churchs highest office. Through prayer and reflection over the past years, the worlds holiest man began, Ive realized that Allah is the one true God.
Amid clattering camera shutters and roaring reporters, Pope Benedict patiently answered questions, citing traditional Muslim folklore as well as passages from the Quran to explain his decision. His session was interrupted only once, when he swiveled South-East to face Mecca, stooped to the ground, and recited the Asr, one of the five daily prayers central to Muslim belief.
The startling reversal comes as a shock to many familiar with the Popes policies on Islam. Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached, the Bishop of the Vatican famously said of Islam in his 2006 lecture Faith, Reason and the UniversityMemories and Reflections.
When asked about the quote, Pope Benedict sighed with good-humored remorse and chuckled quietly to himself: Yeah Ive regretted that for some time. But I was young and naïve I see things much clearer now. Besides, Ive always kinda liked the thought of having a sword. The Cardinals were a real pain on that one.
When asked whether he would be reverting to his born name, Pope Benedict enthusiastically interjected. Ive decided to change my name to Sajjad Sayyid Ratzinger, His Ex-Holiness explained. Im keeping my surname purely for logistical reasons, so my Facebook friends and Twitter followers wont be confused.
His transition hasnt been without opposition. Hours after the press conference, a special Fox and Friends segment aired on FOXNEWS, featuring a picture of the Pope photoshopped to include stereotypical Islāmic features, including: a turban in place of his mitre, darkened complexion, black hair, and Arabic letters spelling out an endorsement of Barack Hussein Obama tattooed across his chest. Beneath the picture, the panel discussed the possible involvement of Pope Benedict XVI, 85, in 9/11. The segments title, The Holy Heathen, emblazoned the lower left corner of the screen.
This morning, newspapers nationwide featured an editorial by Bill OReilly detailing the parallels between the Popes betrayal of God-loving Christians everywhere with the betrayal of the American people and the Constitution by Benedict Arnold, his liberal agenda, and his radical left-wing entourage.
BBC News - Papal inbox: Priorities for Pope Francis
14 March 2013 Last updated at 07:38 GMT
By Michael Hirst
BBC News
One of the challenges for the new Pope will be prioritising his agenda
Pope Francis
Pope Francis takes the helm at a difficult time for the Catholic Church.
In the West, the Church is struggling to fill pews as congregations dwindle, while the number of priests is also falling.
Meanwhile, the rise of evangelical Churches, especially in Latin America and Africa, is checking the growth of Catholic congregations, which are also threatened in some areas by religious intolerance.
Benedict XVI rejected calls for a debate on the issue of clerical celibacy, and reaffirmed the ban on Communion for divorced Catholics who remarry.
Equality laws being debated in several Western countries are a major issue. Benedict XVI has said the Church's strict positions on abortion, euthanasia and homosexuality are "not negotiable", and such outspoken orthodoxy has alienated liberal-minded Catholics.
And the new Pope is tasked with shoring up confidence in an institution that has been rocked for years by the sexual abuse of minors by priests.
Here are some of the major issues facing Pope Francis.
Managing the Vatican
The leaks by Paolo Gabriele (bottom left) revealed allegations of corruption and mismanagement
The recent leaking of Vatican documents by the pope emeritus' butler has exposed the Church's central government - the Curia - as a seriously dysfunctional institution.
It appears to be "riddled with rival factions and there were accusations of corruption in high places", says veteran Vatican analyst Clifford Longley.
"The reform of the Vatican, which Benedict XVI only began at the margins, has a long way to go yet," says Mr Longley. "Decentralisation is now imperative. His successor has a huge and unenviable task."
Systems of oversight need to be put in place to ensure corruption is detected and halted, while Vatican financial transactions need to be made more transparent.
Equality laws
Critics say equality laws could lead to discrimination against Christians
"The one issue which overshadows all others is the growing pressure on Catholics because of equality laws in the West," says Catholic commentator Austen Ivereigh.
Gay marriage legislation in France and the UK, the closure of Catholic adoption agencies in the UK, the battle in US courts between leading Catholic institutions and the State over sexual equality are all serving to have a chilling effect on the Church in the West, he says.
"Equality laws such as same-sex marriage make Christians and church organisations vulnerable to lawsuits and anti-discrimination claims."
Ultimately, says Mr Ivereigh, the State could be developing positions through equality legislation that will serve to marginalise Catholics and the presence of the Church in public life.
"There is no bigger file in the Pope's inbox," he says.
Sex abuse
Some feel the Catholic Church has failed to deal properly with child sex allegations
As pope, Benedict XVI spoke of the Church's shame for "unspeakable crimes" committed by paedophile priests, as well as offering heartfelt apologies to victims, groups of whom he has met during his trips overseas.
But many critics feel the Vatican was - and still is - far too slow, too reluctant and too secretive when it comes to acknowledging and investigating sexual abuse.
Pope Francis has the task of continuing to ensure perpetrators are held to account, and to ensure the changes introduced by his predecessor are implemented - particularly when it comes to bishops signing up to child protection guidelines.
David Clohessy, Executive Director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, told the BBC: "The new pontiff must do more to safeguard children.
"He should stop issuing apologies and making gestures, and instead demote bishops who continue to conceal heinous crimes.
"And he should insist that prelates work with secular authorities to craft and pass stronger child sex laws across the globe."
The role of women
Benedict XVI acknowledged progress on promoting women within the Church - particularly in its administrative bodies - was too slow.
The Church's treatment of pro-reform nuns has caused a scandal in the United States
In 2007 he pointed out that while Jesus chose 12 men as apostles, "among the disciples many women were also chosen. They played an active role within the context of Jesus's mission".
Despite this, though, he has refused to countenance women priests, delivering a fierce rebuke last year to Catholics who challenged the Church's teaching.
And while certain women have risen to posts in the Vatican, others considered "difficult" have been removed, says Dr Gemma Simmonds, Director of the UK's Religious Life Institute.
An investigation into statements made by a group of Catholic nuns in the US on homosexuality and the male-only priesthood caused controversy. Fr Drew Christiansen, a Jesuit priest and visiting scholar at Boston College, says it is one of the key shortcomings of the pontificate.
"The USA owes a huge debt to generous, heroic sisters who have dedicated their lives to offering education, healthcare and pastoral provision only to be subjected to an intrusive, inherently hostile process of investigation for alleged doctrinal errors," says Dr Simmonds.
"The contrast between their treatment and that of paedophile clergy has caused widespread scandal."
It is widely acknowledged that a culture shift needs to take place within the Vatican, and Pope Francis will be expected to promote women into senior management positions in the Curia.
Interfaith tensions
The welfare of persecuted Christians around the world, particularly in troubled areas of the Middle East, Asia and Africa, will be a major issue for the new Pope.
The exodus of Christians from the Holy Land will be a troubling issue for Pope Francis
The ongoing exodus of Christians from the Holy Land will add significance to the Pope's approach to relations with Jews and Muslims.
Pope Benedict was only the second Pope to enter an Islamic holy site when he visited the Blue Mosque in Istanbul in 2006, joining Muslims in silent prayer.
Such a bridge-building attempt was not welcomed in some Muslim circles, particularly coming shortly after the Pope quoted from a 14th-century Byzantine emperor who labelled the Prophet Muhammad "evil and inhuman".
Pope Francis will be challenged to find common ground with Islam, which is on the rise in Africa and Asia where Roman Catholicism has a large base.
Benedict XVI irked Jews by forwarding the path of Pope Pius XII to sainthood despite criticisms that the wartime Pope did not do enough to prevent the Holocaust. He also angered some in the Church of England by encouraging those disaffected with Anglicanism to convert to Catholicism.
In general, relations with Anglicans and Jews seem to be on a good footing. But the new Pope will have to tread carefully to build bridges with the Muslim world while not alienating Jews and without being seen to pander to Islamic extremism.
Smaller congregations, fewer priests
The new Pope will be expected to embrace modern technology
There are 1.2 billion Catholics around the world, a large proportion of whom (42%) come from Latin America. Europe, Catholicism's historic heartland, is now home to just a quarter of Catholics.
However, Benedict XVI seemed reasonably untroubled by this numerical decline, envisioning a smaller, but more faithful, Church.
Key for his successor will be to consolidate this changing position of the Church within society. As it becomes more distant from official institutions, says Austen Ivereigh, the Church will have to ensure that those within the pews - and those who lead them - are well supported.
Similarly, it must continue to ensure it takes advantage of modern technology to spread its message.
The appointment of Fox News' Rome correspondent Greg Burke as an adviser in 2012 signalled a modern communications strategy at the heart of Vatican decision-making that had previously been lacking. And then the Pope took to Twitter.
Pope Francis will be expected to take a similarly enthusiastic approach to modern technology.
