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Former ambassador to the Vatican reacts to Pope Benedict XVI's decision to resign at the end of February
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-- this morning out of the Vatican where Pope Benedict has announced that he will be residing.
Effective the twentieth of February joining us on the phone this morning for a Boston mayor in US ambassador to the Vatican.
Ray Flynn and -- -- appreciate your time this morning does this -- surprise you at all.
Well there had been some speculation.
Months back and is -- and it felt that he might.
We are -- that nothing really specific about that but that has always been media speculation but this comes as a big shock to.
To the terms of the world community especially -- almost one point six billion Catholic book of world it's.
This is -- usual for a for a Pope to resign is is it is is healthy in -- in that.
Dire situation where he feels he just can't continue to do the job the way it's required because of itself.
What good job -- so demanding because of the requirements of traveling.
The constant meetings in the changing -- Complexity of the world in the culture.
You know that I don't know any position that.
In the world I've just got through writing another book about it's it's very it's a very demanding position I was with -- -- cardinal.
Clinton Ratzinger when he was first elected Pope that the Vatican.
And known very well and have you know there was some thought that.
You know he was commanded that wasn't really connect for -- center stage he would not somebody who really thought it out.
-- kind of the simple highest pious man.
But the the office called because his knowledge and in this he -- -- The Catholic Church throughout the world but.
This changes the landscape now John Paul the second was the first non -- and 453.
Years.
And then Joseph -- a number of the -- became Pope now you see it changing churches.
It's very strong in places like Africa or Latin and Central America so this may be another another first that.
It's certainly generates a great deal -- -- And even -- enthusiasm and that in many respects for the -- Catholic Church world.
Brought the world -- very important time coming up for Christians especially Catholics Ash Wednesday -- is coming up this week obviously -- at the end of at the end of march little earlier this year how disruptive is all of this going to be 44 Catholics have really a very important time of the year for the.
Well you know -- interesting that was always one of the most important days -- cash when they are used to.
Travel -- John Paul the second as he -- to -- have been found to -- mission church in -- And the DNA genes in the enthusiasm at the beginning of lent is to travel the cardinal.
Dolan from New York City now.
But it is an important period of time for the Catholic Church it's really had an important period of time for the world what.
With all the turmoil.
And the chaos in the Middle East and so much violence and challenges.
From the foreign policy point is so.
You know to have new ideas and who police new energy a period of hope in fact.
Four of the Catholic Church I think it's and for the world I think -- positive sign and Joseph Ratzinger is one of the -- brilliant men I ever sat down and talked with.
And I'm sure he anticipated the change that would come about in the Catholic Church by making the decision.
That he has made and gives the new wind energy into enthusiasm.
New voices.
Two world opinion and you know I applaud him for for this decision -- be sad because I know him very well that.
It is it'll be a new -- for about a week Catholics or maybe people -- the world.
Speaking with former Boston mayor Ray Flynn in the former ambassador to the Vatican can get us an idea -- what the replacements.
Process will be like in terms of finding his successor would be similar to this to the process is done when when a Pope passes away.
Well outside it would be up about conclave was was not as chaotic as some might be because of the fact -- You know Joseph Ratzinger was the logical candidate for the -- to -- Following the passing John Paul the second this is a little bit more different and this is different.
Because of the fact that the church is expanded.
Greatly because Africa Latin America Central America.
And besides that it's a very very -- Catholic Church out of college of cardinals -- I should say will be the eligible members to vote at the next conclave.
So this there's new faces on the scene is new to polish you have to.
I mean they'll carry on the traditions of the Catholic Church worldwide.
But at the same time they'll be all right new faces.
Different far different from the ones that.
That the world has seen in the past.
Be aware of any names we should be watching for as a potential successor why look at that I look at that the geographic cover -- geography of the Catholic church and I see it.
It it's significant.
In Africa or in Latin America Central America.
You know you see -- -- people attending church would enthusiasm.
In large numbers in certain places and Africa are.
You know they they looked at college of cardinals Sierra.
Kind of promote the areas like Nigeria and Brazil and and in places like that they were all well schooled well educated I think well prepared.
And that would not have been the case.
20304050.
Years ago right up until the took the time John Paul the second became.
Part of.
How much will age factor into this he obviously.
Pope was in his late seventies when he was appointed and I know they wanted to avoid having someone in a similar long run that John Paul had if you will.
How will they be looking for someone you think maybe just a little bit younger to extend.
A longer period of time is properly continue -- -- that even factor into their decision making you -- It was -- -- -- was the logical successor to John Paul the second when he passed away.
Because it is is acknowledges.
The Catholic church -- -- -- prefect of the doctrine but to doctrine of faith and he was a long time.
Vatican knowledgeable source and well respected source.
I don't know whether or not they'll have that same kind of you know -- take -- kind of situation that they had before they might go beyond.
The inside to -- game at the Vatican and maybe expand that into a broader community -- eligible highly eligible highly qualified.
Candidates as they say maybe somebody from Latin and Central America maybe somebody from.
From Africa -- on the -- like no most of these cardinals I've known many of them since they were archbishops.
And monsignor is and there are a lot there's a lot of talent -- I hope we have that the American public doesn't is not aware of that you know I've had put -- privilege -- sitting down talking with.
Several of the many of them so I can target that.
It's not like American politics where you picked from one -- two candidates won a two party.
In in this field.
It's.
-- you -- -- so much talent that you could pick somebody from.
From Brazil and Nigeria or -- place across the world that most Americans most public prayer.
I'm not aware.
And and there it's like timeframe now he's scheduled to step down on the 28 will we have a new poll by that.
I think you're talking about many I think for cash for her conclave.
Which generally run two -- three days but according to the book that I'm writing now about -- hypothetically speaking it.
You know sometimes it could run longer afraid if they can't settle on out on a candidate.
But they'll get to work on that right now bill bill with a -- when it's time for deliberations and that permits -- It's rather positive because they'll have benefited the most experienced knowledgeable person in the world -- -- -- church and and it's in its doctor and I think that of course is that.
His.
Joseph Ratzinger now Benedict the sixteenth that -- just don't like to talk to because he's a wealth with a wealth of knowledge and experience that.
Had -- very spiritual man.
So he is we we expected interim selection and -- went up and I don't think so I think they'll go right to the conclave and I think they'll go right to.
Developing news -- breaking news this morning out of the Vatican where Pope Benedict has announced that he will be resigning.
Affected the twentieth of February joining us on the phone this morning for Boston mayor in US ambassador to the Vatican.
Ray Flynn and -- -- appreciate your time this morning does this -- surprise you would all.
Well there had been some speculation.
Months back and -- page and it felt that he might.
We -- but nothing really specific about that but that has always been media speculation but this comes as a big shock to.
To the terms of the world community especially for almost one point six billion Catholics -- -- the world's.
This is -- usual for a for a Pope to resign is is it is is healthy in in that.
Dire situation where he feels he just can't continue to do the job the way it's required because of his -- -- good job so demanding because of the requirements of traveling.
The constant meetings in the changing -- Complexity of the world in the culture.
You know that I don't know any position that.
In the world I've just.
Got were writing another book about it's it's very it's -- very demanding position I was with Joseph Ratzinger cardinal.
But Ratzinger when he was first elected Pope that the Vatican.
And known very well and -- you know there was some thought that you know he was demanded that wasn't really.
Could -- -- that stage he would not somebody who really thought it out.
-- kind of the simple highest highest man.
Both the the office called because his knowledge -- he -- -- The Catholic Church throughout the world but.
This changes the landscape now John Paul the second was the first non I had an important -- 54 years.
And then Joseph -- -- number of the -- became Pope now you see it changing churches.
It's very strong in places like Africa and Latin and Central America so.
This may be another another first but it certainly generates a great deal of interest there.
And even -- enthusiasm and that in many respects for the -- Catholic Church.
What brought the world here -- very important time coming up for Christians especially Catholics Ash Wednesday -- is coming up this week obviously -- guys -- at the end of at the end of march until earlier this year how disruptive is all of this going to be 44 Catholics that it -- really a very important time of the year for that.
Well you know what's interesting that was always one of the most important days for the Ash Wednesday I -- to.
Travel with John Paul the second as he -- -- -- have been found to be punished church and home.
And the DNA genes in the enthusiasm at the beginning of lent is the -- the cardinal.
-- from New York City now.
But it is an important period of time for the Catholic Church it's really had an important period of time for the world what.
With all the turmoil.
And the chaos in the Middle East and so much violence and challenges.
From the foreign policy point of view is so.
You know to have new ideas and -- police new -- entry for a period of hope in fact.
Four of the Catholic Church I think it's and for the world I think it's a positive sign and Joseph Ratzinger is one of the -- brilliant men I've sat down and talk with.
And I'm sure -- anticipated the change that would come about in the Catholic Church by making the decision.
That he has made -- Give the new wind energy in new enthusiasm.
New voices.
Two world opinion and you know I applaud him for for this decision -- -- sad because I -- very well but.
It is it'll be a new -- for about a week tablets or -- people well the world.
