Duties: Fight the rise of militant Islam that is in a violent confrontation with Christians throughout the Middle East; the battle to maintain influence in Africa against well-funded radical Islamists; the need to deal with increasing Protestant evangelization throughout Latin America; and protecting the underground Catholic Church in China so that it can grow.
Pope Benedict XVI delivers a blessing to a huge crowd in St. Peter’s Square on February 17, 2013 in Vatican City, his first public appearance there since announcing his resignation last week. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience at St Peter’s Square on February 27. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
February 20, 2013
Summary
Recent news of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation has sparked speculation that more may be involved than the publicly cited reason that the Holy Father’s health no longer enabled him to continue in his role leading the Roman Catholic Church.
Sources close to both the Pope and the Vatican have informed that Benedict’s decision was brought on by his declining health in the context of a major power struggle within the Holy See. Two major appointments made by Benedict in the closing days of his papacy, including one to install a new head of the Vatican Bank, are signs of this struggle. With these appointments, Benedict gave his final response to his adversaries within the Curia, the bureaucracy that runs the Vatican.
Vatican insiders, including a close friend of Benedict’s, tell that the power struggle can only be resolved by the selection of a new, energetic pope. A key source suggests that four Cardinals, including two from Latin America, are the leading contenders. One holds the frontrunner position at this time. None are Africans.
The intrigue that has swirled around Benedict’s papacy must be cooled to enable the Church to meet enormous challenges, including the growing secularization of Europe and the West; the rise of militant Islam that is in a violent confrontation with Christians throughout the Middle East; the battle to maintain influence in Africa against well-funded radical Islamists; the need to deal with increasing Protestant evangelization throughout Latin America; and protecting the underground Catholic Church in China so that it can grow.