Germany’s Spiegel Online thinks it did.
When one looks more closely at the Biblical passage referred to in the pope’s will, a second interpretation appears just as, if not more, likely. Namely, that the pope was preparing for his own death.
I’d say I’m shocked, but that would be a lie. We’ve already documented how one wire service reporter can see something no one else saw. In this case it appears that most media organizations reported the initial conclusions rather than do their own analysis..
I agree with Der Spiegel’s interpretation.
It does read to me that Pope John Paul II was simply acknowledging that he was approaching the end of his life on this Earth, and thus, the will itself was being written. I don’t find ANYthing in those words of his to even remotely suggest that he was considering or suggesting that he’d abdicate or “retire” from his office.
It was also an office he loved and felt quite dedicated to, to understate the obvious and I cannot imagine at that age (“nearly 80”) that of all the options available to him, he’d resort to leaving the office that he appears to have lived to serve in and through.
He appears to my view to be preparing the reader of his words as they were written then to consider that what would follow was to represent himself after he died. I can’t see how anyone would interpret what he wrote to refer to his office, however. The words represent a sortof “caution” and/or conditioning to the reader, as in, “let’s be realistic, given my condition at the time and my health and the forecast for my years ahead, it’s likely that what I’m writing will be my last will and testament…”
The words read like an act of caring for everyone and to acknowledge that John Paul was also acknowledging his mortality. Words written in consideration to and about those he knows loved and cared for him, so as to cushion their feelings of possible upset at the idea of his death (and the document which would be read after his death, so that his words indicate a caring extending beyond the parting). I don’t understand how those words were translated into something so radical as “stepping down” from the office that he lived to fulfill. The office and service probably kept him alive far longer than otherwise, meaning, his lifetime appears to have been motivated to and through older years because of his service in the office.
The reality of the situation is that when the facts do not support the view the MSM wants the public to see, the MSM CREATES it’s own “facts”.
It’s more of the MSM’s “fake but fake” reporting.
The pope’s will did not give them the “story” they wanted so, they “created” a new meaning and reported this “created” meaning as fact. After all, in the opinion of the MSM, the public is too “stupid” to know the difference.
Heckfire, Kevin. Is it surprising that the media put words in the pope’s mouth? I’ve had a standing offer since December 3 to give a presitigious award and a pint of beer to anyone who can give me an actual quote from the pope that in any way criticized the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. I even linked to the Vatican Press Office, which archives every word the pope said — and has a search form!
But nobody ever found the elusive pope quote, because his holiness never said any such thing. And yet the media continually refer to the late pope’s “outspoken opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq,” without attribution, as if it were, you know, something he actually said.
TheEnigma is correct, there was no reference to resigning, it is pure MSM fabrication. Nunc Dimittis (Now Dismissing) comes from Simeon’s song in the Gospel of Luke. God promised Simeon that he would see the Messiah before he (Simeon) died.
When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple for consecration, Simeon was there and held (Greek: received and held into bent arms) the boy. Simeon declared God’s promise fulfilled: that Simeon had been allowed to see the Messiah, and he (Simeon) was now satisfied to die –to be dismissed from life.
Luke 2:27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, (28) he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, (29) “Lord, now you are letting your servant[bondservant] depart in peace, according to your word; (30) for my eyes have seen your salvation (31) that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, (32) a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
I was surprised to read these accounts of the Pope considering retirement. When he began his final downhill turn, there was discussion of his resignation and he quickly squashed that talk. I couldn’t figure out how he would have been in favor of it in 2000, but against it today.
Now, I understand.