Papal Resignation Roundup

Well, folks, it’s been quite the week.  Besides our annual entrance into Lent on Wednesday, Monday also saw the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI – the first pope to do this in centuries.  As we look to the end of Benedict’s pontificate, the “interregnum” (literally, between reigns), the conclave, and, finally, the election of a new pope, it promises to be an exciting month for the Church and for the world.

We’ll do what we can to keep you updated on news as it develops.  To start, here are a few great articles, videos, and general quotes to consider if you’re in need of playing catch-up on resignation news:

In Benedict’s Own Words:

• Declaratio: Formally Resigning the Papacy, Monday, February 11th
  
• General Audience: Benedict’s first remarks since the announcement of his resignation, Wednesday, February 13th
  
• Homily of Ash Wednesday, Wednesday, February 13th in St. Peter’s Basilica

Reaction from bishops in the United States:

• Official Statement of Bishop Robert Morlino of the Diocese of Madison (PDF)
• Statement of Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago
• Video of reaction from Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, on NBC’s The Today Show, Monday, February 11th

Remembering Benedict’s Legacy

• Crisis Magazine: Benedict’s Decision in the light of Eternity
• Catholic News Service: In talk to priests, pope recalls experiences as a Vatican II consultant (highlighting excerpts from the pope’s audience with priests of the Diocese of Rome, Thursday, February 14th, 2013
• The Atheist’s Pope, by Jennifer Fulwiler of the National Catholic Register
• Reaction from Msgr. James Bartylla (Vicar General of the Diocese of Madison) in an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, Tuesday, February 12th (download-able audio)
• Editorial by the National Catholic Register, “Love is Never Finished”

What’s next?  
The Church awaits word on a conclave date, which is to be determined by the cardinals who will elect the next pope.

What should I do? 
This is a unique time in the life of the Church.  The best thing any of us can do is to pray very much for the Holy Father, the cardinal electors who will participate in the conclave, and the next man who will be Successor to St. Peter, known, at this moment, only to God.  If you are interested, join us for a rosary in the St. Paul’s Chapel at 8:40PM on Monday nights, starting on February 18th and ending upon the election of a new pope.  

Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us and pray for the Pope! 

The Pope is on Twitter!

Did you know that Benedict XVI is on Twitter?  Our beloved 85-year-old Holy Father joined the social networking site on Monday, December 3rd, with the username @Pontifex.  His Holiness “tweeted” for the first time today during his weekly Papal Audience!

So, as the Vicar of Christ, what is the first thing you “tweet” to your 800,000+ followers on one of the largest social media websites in the world?

Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter.  Thank you for your generous response.  I bless all of you from my heart.

(Photo: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images)

Wondering if there are any other bishops on Twitter?

Our very own bishop, Robert Morlino of the Diocese of Madison, signed up last week in the Pope’s footsteps!
You can follow him at @BishopMorlino

Other tweeting bishops:

Bishop Alexander K. Sample of Marquette, Michigan: @BishopSample

Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan of New York City: @CardinalDolan

Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles: @ArchbishopGomez

Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis: @abp_carlson

Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas: @Bishop_Farrell

Archbishop Sean Cardinal O’Malley of Boston: @CardinalSean

If you know of other tweeting bishops, let us know and we’ll add them to the list!