Pope Benedict Knows When To Fold ‘Em

Leader of more than a billion Catholics stepping down at the end of the month

Pope Benedict XVI probably isn’t a gambling man. But he sure knows when to “fold ‘em.” The 85-year-old pope announced on Monday that he would step down on Feb. 28 because he was getting too ill to carry on and has concerns about his mental capacity. As of yet, there is no scandal preempting this announcement. Pope Benedict is the first pontiff to resign in nearly 600 years, as most before him have died in service. In a statement, he’s called the decision “of great importance for the life of the church.” A conclave of church cardinals will choose a new pope before the end of March. As rare as it is to see a pope resign, it’s also rare to see disgraced leaders in large African American church step down. Remember Atlanta’s Bishop Eddie Long? He didn’t resign after several young men accused him of sexual abuse. And televangelist Creflo Dollar, after his 2012 domestic violence case, didn’t step aside to save his church a moderate amount of embarrassment. (Associated Press)

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Protesters March on 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Under new leadership, March for Life continues anti-abortion protests.

The crowd of anti-abortion rights protesters let out a rapturous cheer as news of support from Pope Benedict XVI was announced. Attendees waved signs and watched speakers on jumbotrons during this year’s March for Life. The annual march marked the 40^th anniversary of Roe v. Wade this week, though it was pushed back to avoid conflict with the inauguration.

As the new president of the march, Jeane Monaham is expecting record-breaking attendance. Under her leadership, she said the March for Life Education & Defense Fund would expand its educational component to attract attention throughout the year—not just the day of the march. “My hope as the March for Life president is really just to give a voice, more and more, to the young people,” she said.

House Speaker John Boehner also sent words of support, saying he hopes to make abortion a “relic of the past.” He promised that Congress would continue work to pass the Hyde Amendment that prevents taxpayer funding from going to abortion. (Politico)

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10 Things You Need To Know For Tuesday

President Obama announced his nomination of Chuck Hagel to serve as the next secretary of defense at a White House press conference Monday. Hagel, Obama noted, will be the first person of enlisted rank and the first Vietnam veteran to lead the Department of Defense, as well as the first secretary to be wounded in war. The president also announced John Brennan as his pick for director of the CIA, calling him “one of our nation’s most skilled and respected intelligence professionals.”

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Pope's Ex-Butler Sentenced to 18 Months for Leaking Papers

Former butler stole papers that detailed corruption and leaked them to an Italian journalist

The  former butler for the pope was convicted of aggravated theft and sentenced to 18 months in prison today. 

Paolo Gabriele, who served as the butler to Pope Benedict XVI, admitted he stole papal documents and gave them to Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi. Nuzzi used them as the basis for his best-selling book, "Sua Santita" ("His Holiness").

Gabriele was also ordered to pay the costs of the trial at the Vatican City courthouse.

The case has been the subject of serious interest because the book revealed corruption within the Roman Catholic Church.