As a member of the Catholic church who is going on her, wait for it, 17th year in Catholic schooling, my world has been rocked by this papal resignation. Is that allowed? Can he do that? I'm pretty sure my elementary school penmanship teacher, Sr. Lucille, is rolling over in her grave right now. Yes you take penmanship in Catholic elementary school, and yes we all laugh at you who struggle during the cursive portion of the SATs. Talk to me when you have to pass in cursive handwritten 8-page papers.
Anyways, I'm not the only one who doesn't know what to think about the news that Pope Benedict XVI is essentially retiring. After all, this hasn't happened since the 1400s. It's kind of a big deal. And Twitter has exploded accordingly.
Some are wondering what the the Pope has planned for his future. Starting Feb. 28, he's going to have a lot of free time on his hands. Maybe time to play some basketball? Challenge Steve Nash to a little one-on-one? My money's on the Pope.
Maybe he just wants some time to jam out to music that isn't Gregorian Chants. Those have to get old after a while anyways. That's Rob Delaney's theory.
Others seem to think that the Pope's life just wasn't going in the direction that he had planned. If so, it took a pretty long time for this realization to come about...
Ricky Gervais, who's not on the best of terms with the Catholic Church, has a more plausible explanation for the resignation. #JustGottaDance
Although you KNEW he would have to throw something like this out there. #Troublemaker #IAgree
Some replacements have even been suggested! I have to agree with this one in particular...
...mainly because I think this would be Nicholas Cage's role of a lifetime. He needs to make up for "Ghost Rider" somehow. Other candidates have been thrown around in the Twitter-sphere, but so far the most qualified guy for the job? #PopeTomI
Despite the likelihood of the previous suggestion, this one might be wishful thinking by Republicans. #He'sMormon #SillyDickMorris #NeverRight
Others are taking it upon themselves to use the papal resignation as an opportunity for a little self-promotion.
Dream big, my friend. Dream big. That particular glass ceiling probably won't be cracked ANYTIME soon. Although, speaking of resumes, the Pope seems to be hopping back on that job-search bandwagon pretty quickly. Too soon Benedict. Too soon.
A few celebrities have even chimed in with their thoughts on the news. Queen Elizabeth doesn't seem to have any intentions of following the Pope's example. No matter how badly Prince Charles wants it. #NiceTryBro
Wink wink mommy!
Some people are less concerned with thinking about the future of the Vatican, and have just started planning parties. It doesn't really strike me as partying news per say, but some people will celebrate anything if they can throw a rager for the occasion. Speaking of which, I'm sensing some papal-themed Mod parties in our future, especially if this guy has anything to say about it...
So peace out Pope Benedict XVI. It's been real. Whether you're going down to Florida with the rest of the octogenarians or hitting up the Lakers for a six-year contract I would like to wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors! #GodBless
School, major and year: A&S, English, 2015
Hometown Charlton, MA
Favorite Beyonce lyric: "I probably won't make no money off this, oh well."