Two weeks after Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation was accepted on Feb. 24, rumor and fact is still hard to separate as much speculation had been stated and circulated these past few weeks.

“The pope was speaking to a meeting of cardinals and bishops known as a consistory. It seemed to take them all by surprise. Only his closest advisors and his brother seem to have known about the pope’s plans,” said  the Rev. Peter Walsh, director of Campus Ministry.

Brother Larry Atkinson said the media has taken over coverage since then.

“[Benedict] believes he is not up to the physical challenges of running a church of over one billion Catholics. He seems to be quite active mentally, but the constant public audiences and visits to countries is difficult for a man of 85. He was courageous to break with tradition and offer to resign and let a younger person lead the church,” Atkinson said.

Although some in the media have given the pope a hard time about resigning, others believe it is a good thing that the pope resigned due to poor health.

“He has revived it as a real option for future popes who find themselves in a serious health crisis or advanced age.” Walsh said.

Selecting a new pope can be a very lengthy process. Technically, any Catholic man can become pope, but it has always been somewhat of a tradition to select a Cardinal to take over the spot.

“The Cardinals gather in the Sistine chapel and pray, discuss and vote. If they do not get a pope on the first ballot, they keep voting over a period of a couple of days until they have a candidate with the required majority,” Atkinson said.

The Cardinals will select the new pope once Benedict officially resigns Feb. 28.

“There are many needs in the church that need a strong leader. Depending on whom they choose, it could be a more ‘traditional’ pope who will hold on to the traditions of the past, or a pope from a developing part of the world who might be more in touch with the current needs and perhaps be more ‘progressive’ in his rulings,” Atkinson said.

Having a pope with a more modern way of thinking could bring significant changes to the church.

“It could mean conflict within the church from those who resist change from both the clergy as well as the people. A ‘modern’ pope would have to consult before making any radical changes. However, a ‘modern’ pope might be more open to some of the current cries for change like married or female clergy; contraception, etc.,” Atkinson said.

Walsh said that if the new pope is younger rather than older, he could potentially serve into the middle part of the century.

“If that’s the case, he will oversee a Church that will be largely located in the global south — South America and Africa — and Asia,” Walsh said. 

A modern pope may also have to adapt to the new media available in the twenty-first century. Benedict used  Twitter, and the next pope could similarly make use of Twitter and other online communication.

There will be several campus events going on depending on when the new pope is chosen. Because the new pope is not being chosen due to death, the traditional mourning period does not have to be recognized.

Campus Ministry will hold a talk on Benedict’s legacy on Feb. 28 and it will be followed by a prayer service. If people are on campus when the election happens during that day in Austin, the bells will be rung at St. Joseph Hall at the same time they are ringing in the Vatican. Televisions will also be set up for students who want to watch coverage in the Ragsdale Center lobby.