Seth Udinski, FISM News
Religion analysts are speculating once again if Pope Francis’ reign on St. Peter’s throne will end in resignation, following comments the pontiff made during a message on Sunday.
There was nothing overtly alarming in his message on the topic of humility, but many Catholic pundits have interpreted his words to be a self-reflection on having the humility to step aside.
The Bishop of Rome said during his message not far from Rome at the St. Mary Basilica in Aquila,
There is no other way to realize God’s will than by taking on the strength of the humble. Because of the way they are, the humble are seen as weak and losers, but in reality, they are the real winners because they are the only ones who trust completely in the Lord and know his will.
According to a recent report from Religion News Service (RNS), Francis’ location is also a possible indicator of an upcoming retirement.
The pope has opened the famous “Holy Door” of St. Mary’s in Aquila, a tradition going back over 700 years. In AD 1294, Pope Celestine V first began this practice as a picture of opening the door to forgiveness of sins, which would become known in the Roman Church as the Celestinian pardon.
Celestine was also one of the few popes in the church’s 1,700-year history to abdicate the papacy, doing so in December of 1294 after only several months on Peter’s throne.
The RNS report indicates that Francis paid homage to his 700-years-deceased predecessor by visiting his burial site on the church’s grounds. Francis’ immediate predecessor, Benedict XVI, also visited the grave of Celestine only four years before he forfeited the papacy. Factoring in Francis’ age and health, as well as the continued controversy involving clerical abuse in the Roman Church, these common denominators seem to suggest that the pope is planning to resign from his position before his death.
Biblical Analysis:
There is much to say about this report from a biblical worldview, specifically in regard to the idea the remission of sins can be found outside of the forgiveness of Christ through a traditional act or the Pope’s blessing. Regardless of any traditions the church may have, there is one singular point that stands out as a reminder and an encouragement for the Christian:
The pardon for sin, which so many have vainly sought in pious living, priestly visits, and even partaking in the sacraments, was accomplished in full, once and for all, by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is sufficient to redeem any sinner who simply repents of their sin and confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord.
That great truth thunders across the pages of sacred scripture. Starting in Genesis 3 when God promises a Redeemer to crush the serpent’s head, we read about these broken redeemers and systems that offered a glimpse and a shadow of that future Redeemer, but ultimately fell short.
We see Moses lead his people to the promised land. We see the institution of the sacrificial system and the slaughtering of a spotless lamb. We see the priests serve as a mediator between God and His people. Additionally, we see glimpses of the redeemer in Isaac, Gideon, Samson, Boaz, David, Jonah, and so many other Old Testament figures.
But none of these could offer a pardon for sin. That would only come with the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, truly God and truly man, who lived in perfect obedience to God and suffered and died. When he rose from the dead, He opened the doors to paradise so that all who believed in His name could enter. Praise God!
The encouragement for the believer, therefore, is to be confident in Christ the Redeemer, who made the once-for-all pardon for sin to rescue sinners like you and me.