Lies From the Vatican? What is the TRUE Reason for Pope Benedict XVI’s Retirement?

Last Thursday the World was shocked as Pope Benedict XVI’s became the first Holy Father to retire in 600 years. Reporters and conspiracy theorists are having a field day trying to figure out if there is more to the story than the Vatican is letting out. With no papal funeral to prepare for and the pope’s final appearances fairly routine, Vatican watchers and bored reporters have been fleshing out a number of theories on why the pope may have really resigned. Was it really a bump to the head suffered in Mexico? Was it the secret heart surgery the Pope had 3 months ago? Was it something far more sinister?

Of course the weight of the molestation cases world wide brought against the Church could be a factor. The Church has paid out millions upon millions to families and victims and defrocked only a handful of the guilty Priests. Remember that molestation in the Church is not an American problem but a Worldwide problem. Russia, Ireland Europe if there is a Church presence you can bet that there are allegations of sexual misconduct and molestation between both male and female faithful. Was it to much to handle for the Pope? Did the guilt and anguish of constantly hiding and disguising the truth in order to protect these pedophile "Fathers" take it's toll? Perhaps.

While the Church sex-abuse scandals were obviously a huge weight on the pope’s shoulders, Vatican watchers say it was actually the VatiLeaks butler saga and allegations of misconduct at the Vatican Bank that played more important roles in his resignation. With his personal butler on trial and thousands of the Pope's personal documents photocopied and turned over to the Italian Press, life for the Holy Father had to be difficult.

“Benedict may not have quit because of the pedophilia scandals or any other specific controversy,”

says Vatican expert John Allen.

“But it's hard to believe they didn’t play a role, at least as background.”

So what is the truth? Failing health, sexual misconduct or perhaps facts yet to be disclosed in the trial of the Pope's personal butler? Whether any of the rumors will prove true is anyone’s guess. But with Cardinals jockeying and lobbying  for the Pope’s old job from now until the conclave begins sometime after March 15, the rumors and theories will continue to disgrace and shame the Catholic Church.
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