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This Insights eNewsletter was sent to subscribers on February 12, 2013.

eNewsletter Subject: Resigned to Benedict's Resignation

Most people receiving this message love Pope Benedict XVI and find that they must greet the announcement of his impending resignation with, well, Christian resignation.

Clearly the Pope hopes to avoid problems for the Church caused by his own declining strength and concentration, and yet a papal resignation has the potential to bring on its own special problems. As background, see these two commentaries:

• Benedict: Far from the First Pope to Resign (Jeff Mirus)
• The challenge Pope Benedict has left for his successor—and for ordinary Catholics (Phil Lawler)

Needless to say, we will be watching everything carefully in the coming weeks. Two early stories today begin to show the responses of other leaders:

• President Obama issues statement on Pope’s resignation
• Cardinal Dolan pays tribute to Pope’s ‘tender heart,’ ‘incisive mind’

Radio, TV, Internet and print media around the world are full of mostly useless commentary and speculation. We will keep you posted, and all related news and commentary will continue to be listed here: Benedict XVI’s Resignation: Rollup of All News and Commentary....

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