I imagine there is a bit more to the story than just age and infirmity. The man has helped cover up one of the largest and longest crime sprees in history. He should be prosecuted and in thrown jail.
I have no hopes of the RCC waking up and becoming more "modern". They would have to admit that there is no god to do that. That would be the day!

Like the funny image online says "A man with a cape, bedazzled hat, and a disco stick says it's wrong to be gay. Seems legit..."
Raised Catholic, and since then I'm Agnostic. I'm not seeing how any of the RCC makes sense. It's all around a BOOK that has stories in it. Which then branched out into more rules, judgement, and nasty scandal .
It's a joke to me. And it's hard to take people serious who believe in all the hoopla around church, and for that matter religion in general.
JMO.

MO is that it's really too bad some confuse religion with relationship with God thru Jesus. That's what God wants---a relationship with us---not a bunch of puppets following traditions and rules that have no meaning. I was raised in the RCC and it had no real meaning for me, either. So I went on a 5 year search, and found there's a lot more to this Person called God than I learned in the RCC. No offense meant to anyone in the RCC, but that's how it worked for me. Many have stayed in the CC and are very satisfied with it---different strokes for different folks. But don't get mad at me or judge me just because I left!! It's not the only church. We need to love and accept one another, and that includes agnostics and atheists. Let's resolve not to mock one another, or our chosen faith, as mature adults.

Born Catholic, raised Catholic, kicked to the curb by this pope's return to old pre-Vatican II law. Remarried, you see. Without the cash to pay for a "dispensation". I am glad to see him go, but I think the damage is done. Too many Catholics bailed on his archaic rules and rhetoric. Few will ever go back.

MD with his usual jerkoff comments. women priests? they should have never been given the right to vote or drive

everyone changes their tune about God and the Catholic Church when they are dying. all of you "touchy-feely do whatever makes you feel good" lapsed Catholics will be the first ones calling for a priest when you start to feel death breathing on your neck being agnostic allows people to not feel guilt about doing things they know are immoral like abortion and being Jewish. keep bad-mouthing the One True Church- and may God have mercy on your souls.

Anonymous is a good example of why the Catholic Church is in it's death throes. Hey, anonymous, know what? Jesus was a JEW. hahahahaha!!!!

The RCC Is best suited for those people who feel more comfortable with others making their decisions and deciding what they should or shouldn't know. Times evolve, the RCC hasn't. Its archaic ways are stiffling. I'm not having anyone force feed me hoopla that I find to be useless information. I believe in God, I believe in living a good life, and I do believe there is a spiritual life outside the RCC that God approves of. There isn't "one true church" that stands above the rest of the religions. So get over yourself, "Anon" and join those of us who think for ourselves rather than being lead around by the nose.