130228mg

Pope Retires - New Elections in the Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI, in failing health, became the first pope in six centuries to retire. Benedict's decision has sent shock waves through the Vatican hierarchy. While celebrated for theological tracts, Benedict's leadership of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics was also scarred by scandals involving priestly child abuse and leaked papal documents. He leaves a church in crisis: from internal governance, to low morale, the sexual abuse, the loss of young people, all the older ones that have left, the evangelicals encroaching and secularists all over. Benedict's exit; comes as at least a dozen other cardinals tarnished with accusations for failing to remove priests accused of sexually abusing minors are among those gathering in Rome to prepare for the conclave to select a successor.

© 2013 Zapiro / www.zapiro.com (All rights reserved)

To order your free Zapiro cartoon image click on number above

You may place this image on your blogging site as long as
you link the cartoon back to http://www.zapiro.com/cartoon/1527029...
and mention © 2013 Zapiro / www.zapiro.com (All rights reserved) underneath the cartoon