Much speculation circulates about the reasons behind the resignation of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on February 28. Benedict released this statement that says it was due to health and age, and reveals that the former Pope was simply too weak to properly bear the burdens of leading a global religious following.

“…in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me,” the statement reads.

Seems rational. Considering the usual age of those given the Papal title, around 62. With Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI elected at the age of 78, it’s surprising that it has been so long since a Pope has thrown up his wrinkled hands in exhaustion. Around 600 years, in fact.

All that rationality has not stemmed the tide of conspiracy theories, which are in rare form. The beliefs range from the old sex-scandal, to the classic Illuminati pulling strings behind the scenes, to Benedict being ousted as a Nazi.

The sex scandal comes from the fact that the then-Pope was said to have received two red leather-bound texts full of the findings of the internal investigation into the sex-crime accusations. It is claimed that the same day the books hit his desk, the Pope gave his two-week notice.

While Pope Emeritus, born Joseph Ratzinger, was forced into the Hitler Youth to survive in Bavaria during WWII, there is no evidence that he has any ties to the Nazi party, nor has he supported them politically. Benedict’s father was, in fact, known to be an opponent of the Nazi regime.

Another theory floating around is that a man known as “The Black Priest” is really behind all the Vatican’s decisions, as he controls both the Church and the Illuminati. This “priest” is said to be Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, who also leads the Society of Jesus. Busy guy! It is apparently Kolvenbach who chose to step down, which meant that his counterpart, or possibly underling, Pope Benedict, must do so as well.

There is little to no evidence of any of these conspiracy theories bring true, and the Vatican routinely asserts the facts at every meeting and conference. Their representatives are well practiced at this, since there have accusations of secret dealings, secret societies, and general misconduct throughout the history of the Church. Until the day where no more secrets are kept and the inner world of all organizations is open to the public, there will be mutterings of scandal and the ways shadow rulers are bringing about the New World Order.

Image Courtesy : Catholic Church (England and Wales)

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About the author

Jessica O'Shea
Hello! At 20yrs old I'm an undergrad at Rowan University, earning my Writing Arts/Communications degree. I'm interested in writing online content and journalistic articles, as well as becoming a part of the editing community. Currently I'm working towards graduate school and a master's in Writing Arts. My loves are reading, composing poetry and not letting anyone read it, hot tea, and discovering new ways to tell old stories.