New Pope, Same Old Church

So, If you haven't heard yet, the Holy Father, (aka Pope Benedict XVI, aka Papa Benedict) is stepping down and resigning from his position of Peter's successor, saying "...In today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, 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."

I'm sure people are hoping that this new Pope will suddenly agree on the Church's behalf that same sex marriage, abortion, and whatever trending nonsense is completely all right and morally acceptable (he won't). 
Knowing today's media, there will be hundreds of articles about why he really left, probably a lot of them looking like this, or filled with scandals, so make sure to pray that wavering Catholics are not turned off by the "scandals" created by the press.  

Also please, keep Benedict in your prayers!! Imagine being sick and tired enough to resign from the Papal Throne.

~Rachel 

You can see the full abdication video here...to get English subtitles, click on the CC button in the lower left corner of the video and choose "English"

...and read a great letter from a local youth group leader here...it's basically what I've been trying to say, but 10 times more coherent, and covering all that I should have and would have if I had known how :)