Huh. Surprising. I don't think it's age (unless dementia or something is rearing its head...And even so, look at the last one
), really. And scandals...While possible, doubt it.
I'd look more towards either the right wing wanting to replace him with a "younger model" (say, in his 60s) so there's a conservative Pope on the throne for a good long while, or a coup coming from African and/or Latin-American cardinals who want a new Pope - there's been a LOT of unease and unhappiness over this Pope's focus on Europe, Asia and northern America. We'll see, I guess?[DOUBLEPOST=1360581891][/DOUBLEPOST]
Is this a first, in terms of popes? Stepping down? I'm sure it isn't, but I'd be curious to know. I'm sure we have some history buffs here that could answer that.
No, it isn't - the last Pope to resign was in the 1920s somewhere. It's been a long time, the last two Popes stayed on even when faced with things like Parkinsons and such.