The short term of the 111th pope seemed to be a consideration when he was elected. This was prophesied thousands of years ago in Ezekiel. It was also prophesied that the 112th pops would be the last and would signal the apocalypse. It was also said that the new pope would change the church to worship the anti-christ. Other Christians preach that the end times are very near.

You know what happens when other religious figureheads retire? The congregation says "cool, cheers to spending the rest of your days in happiness."....They don't send out a world press release and it doesn't shatter anyone's surprise of 'this hasen't happened since X years'. I don't begrudge Catholisism at all, I just think that sometimes you're at an 11.

now that the Death Star has been completed, he will (/insert Darth Sidious Voice) rule the galaxy.(end voice)

toubat, your right, the appointed successor to Jesus leaves so now the appointed successor to satan should leave.

The Pope will resign because of crippling health problems. Maybe President Obama will follow suit and resign because of crippling credibility problems.