Question About Pope's Resignation

[OnlySunshine]

Seeing as how this hasn't happened in 600 years and it's very unusual for a Pope to resign, what will he be called when he actually resigns at the end of the month?  I am wondering if they will use similar terminology for a retired Bishop and call him "Pope Emeritus" or "Bishop of Rome Emeritus."  What is the theological standpoint?

Edited February 12, 2013 by MaterMisericordiae

[cappie]

There is no absolute theological standpoint. Canon Law states:

 

Can.331 The office uniquely committed by the Lord to Peter, the first of the
Apostles, and to be transmitted to his successors, abides in the Bishop of the
Church of Rome. He is the head of the College of Bishops, the Vicar of Christ,
and the Pastor of the universal Church here on earth. Consequently, by virtue
of his office, he has supreme, full, immediate and universal ordinary power in
the Church, and he can always freely exercise this power.
 

Can. 332 §1 The Roman Pontiff acquires full and supreme power in the Church when,
together with episcopal consecration, he has been lawfully elected and has
accepted the election. Accordingly, if he already has the episcopal character,
he receives this power from the moment he accepts election to the supreme
pontificate. If he does not have the episcopal character, he is immediately to
be ordained Bishop.

§2 Should it happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns from his office, it is required for
validity that the resignation be freely made and properly manifested, but it is
not necessary that it be accepted by anyone.

The papacy resides in the Bishop of Rome, if one is no longer the Bishop of Rome then one is no longer the pope.

 

One thing this teaches is that it is the office not the person that is important.

 

Ed Peters makes good points about what to call Pope Benedict after he retires:

 

http://canonlawblog.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/papa-emeritus/
 

[qfnol31]

I just want to point out a story from yesterday, in which Father Lombardi addressed the media: http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/inquiries-and-interviews/detail/articolo/papa-el-papa-pope-rinuncia-appointment-22203/

 

He said that the Holy Father probably won't ever use the title "Cardinal," which is my suspicion as well. It would be much like a king going back to using the title "prince" after abdicating the throne, which might be strange.

 

Fr. Lombardi specified that “cardinals will make their decisions independently.” The Pope is not a cardinal, he is the head of the College of Cardinals. But Benedict XVI is certainly not expected to take part in the Conclave, it’s function is key, this is why the College of Cardinals exists. It will be interesting to see how we will address him, how he will be called. It is unlikely we will use the “cardinal” title. “Bishop emeritus of Rome” is one option, Fr. Lombardi stressed.