The Death of a Pope (01.19.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about the death of Pope Benedict XVI. The former pope passed away on December 31st. He resigned in 2013 – the first pope to do so since the early 15th century. Of course, many people are taking this time to remember his life and the contributions he made to the Catholic Church and the world in general. But we want to take the opportunity to discuss, not Pope Benedict XVI, but the whole concept of the “pope” and what the Bible says about that.

STORY – Benedict XVI, First Pope to Resign in 600 Years, Dies at 95

“Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the shy German theologian who tried to reawaken Christianity in a secularized Europe but will forever be remembered as the first pontiff in 600 years to resign from the job, died Saturday. He was 95.

“Benedict stunned the world on Feb. 11, 2013, when he announced, in his typical, soft-spoken Latin, that he no longer had the strength to run the 1.2 billion-strong Catholic Church that he had steered for eight years through scandal and indifference.

“His dramatic decision paved the way for the conclave that elected Pope Francis as his successor. The two popes then lived side-by-side in the Vatican gardens, an unprecedented arrangement that set the stage for future ‘popes emeritus’ to do the same.

“And now Francis will celebrate Benedict’s funeral Mass on Thursday, the first time in the modern age that a current pope will eulogize a retired one. As tributes poured in from political and religious leaders around the world, Francis himself praised Benedict’s ‘kindness’ Saturday and thanked him for ‘his testimony of faith and prayer, especially in these final years of retired life.’

“Speaking during a New Year’s Eve vigil, Francis said only God knew ‘of his sacrifices offered for the good of the church.’” (Associated Press)