Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Religion
Related: About this forumPope will have security, immunity by remaining in the Vatican
(Reuters) - Pope Benedict's decision to live in the Vatican after he resigns will provide him with security and privacy. It will also offer legal protection from any attempt to prosecute him in connection with sexual abuse cases around the world, Church sources and legal experts say.
"His continued presence in the Vatican is necessary, otherwise he might be defenseless. He wouldn't have his immunity, his prerogatives, his security, if he is anywhere else," said one Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"It is absolutely necessary" that he stays in the Vatican, said the source, adding that Benedict should have a "dignified existence" in his remaining years.
Vatican sources said officials had three main considerations in deciding that Benedict should live in a convent in the Vatican after he resigns on February 28.
Vatican police, who already know the pope and his habits, will be able to guarantee his privacy and security and not have to entrust it to a foreign police force, which would be necessary if he moved to another country.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/15/us-pope-resignation-immunity-idUSBRE91E0ZI20130215
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
8 replies, 1360 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (0)
ReplyReply to this post
8 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Pope will have security, immunity by remaining in the Vatican (Original Post)
moobu2
Feb 2013
OP
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)1. But isn't the summer residence he is going to in Italy?
If he goes there he is opening himself up to arrest.
exboyfil
(17,863 posts)2. Shoot out between Italian police and Swiss guards?
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)3. The swiss guard would protect him from danger they can not protect him from arrest in Italy.
moobu2
(4,822 posts)4. I'm not sure. It says this in the article
After he resigns, Benedict will no longer be the sovereign monarch of the State of Vatican City, which is surrounded by Rome, but will retain Vatican citizenship and residency.
LATERAN PACTS
That would continue to provide him immunity under the provisions of the Lateran Pacts while he is in the Vatican and even if he makes jaunts into Italy as a Vatican citizen.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)5. Ok that may be true because of the treaty they have signed with Italy.
StrictlyRockers
(3,855 posts)6. the pope and his habits
meeshrox
(671 posts)7. Perhaps the way the Paterno scandal went down in
his final days gave the pope some pause? We've seen a steady increase in outrage over these molestation scandals by the public. There will be a call for an investigation into what they knew and when, but I suspect he will hide out for the rest of his life. This isn't for privacy, necessarily, but for protection from everyone knowing the truth.
It's exactly what I expected, such cowardice.
goldent
(1,582 posts)8. This seems to make sense
Given his resignation is unprecedented in modern times, there is the question of where he would live. I think staying in the Vatican is practical and appropriate. But this made me think of a lot more questions, like what his title will be...
Lots about this here