Pope Benedict is set to resign due to health reasons.  He’s stepping down at the end of the month, February 28th.  Honestly, I didn’t know the Pope COULD resign.  I thought once you got the holiest of Catholic gigs that the job was yours till you could no longer stand up and wear the “hat.”  And please- don’t take my irreverent thought process as disrespectful.  I think it’s a huge announcement that brings debate, concerns and ultimately decisons that affect the Catholic Church.

     For starters- who’s next?  I’m sure there’s a short list, right?  Do you interview for the job or has the work you’ve done so far pretty much speak for itself?  Does the Pope have a resume?  Does he have to fill out an application?  Can you use GOD as a reference when applying for “Pope” and if so, what do you use as a contact number?  If there is an application is there a spot for hobbies and other interests?  Could the next Pope actually be a fan of SpongeBob Squarepants and secretly enjoy watching marathons of  “SAY, YES TO THE DRESS” on TLC?  Eh, we’ll never know.

     Selfishly, I have another question.  Fat Tuesday, the traditional start of The Lenten Season is this week, and normally I sacrifice my love for chocolate during that time.  But if the Pope is stepping down at the end of the month, is there some sort of Catholic loophole that says, I can start woofing down KIT KATS before Easter?  I know that The Vatican can actually have someone in place rather quickly after Benedict steps down, and if that person takes over before Easter is all wrapped up, I’ve got no problem getting back on board the “no chocolate” for Lent bandwagon.  I don’t know…I find the whole thing very interesting, intriguing and confusing.  Can’t imagine how I’d feel if I was actually Catholic.