I am not a Catholic but I did read the Pope’s statement to the Cardinals with interest.
He writes, “I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”
No matter what one thinks about this Pope’s tenure (and there are some very negative reviews in circulation), this statement is deeply insightful. A good old age is largely the product of setting and re-setting the boundaries and limits that best match one’s capacities to the requirements of daily life. It is likely that the daily grind of being Pope would overtax many younger people and it is aslo likely there are many older people who could handle them with aplomb.
The point is that aging is a an exercise in individuation. What matters most is not what most older people could do or would want to do but rather what this man feels is right for him.
There is another point worth making here. This man had the freedom to choose his path, to change his circumstances and re-imagine his life. Many millions of others do not live their old age surrounded by acolytes and dwelling in gilded palaces. For these people the ability to match one’s circumstances to a changing set of capacities is far more limited.
The Pope’s decision will make headlines around the world but the real story here lies in the need to change aging for everyone. We all deserve to live our lives knowing that an elderhood free from the most pressing cares and gifted with the self-respect that accompanies autonomy can be ours someday.
I am an Aging 200 student from the Erickson School of Aging and this is a topic that I have been following since the Pope stepped down. There has been a great deal of negativity towards his decision, where he had been accused of being a ‘weak’ Pope and stepping down at a time where the Catholic Church needed a leader. I, however, disagree. He has done what he feels is right for him to do at this point in his life. This is another life transition for him. He is, after all, still a human being who has experienced rites of passage and is now taking on a new role. His conventional role of being the Pope is lost, but he will now develop a new ‘self’ in his later years, which is a highly individual matter. I agree with the point made in this article that he had the freedom to step down because he believed it was the best thing for him.
Bill–I just started following this blog and I really appreciate the wisdom you share. Also huge thanks to Kavan; I look forward to meeting him. I am recruiting more people to look to this site for thoughtfulness. It certainly helps me a great deal.
Debbie Van Straten
This pope has not left a legacy of which he can be proud. History will prove that, we may be certain. His recalcitrance on Nuns having full rights as male priests do, is well known. His work or shall I say lack of work on pedophilia is scandalous! I agree with you on his willingness to understand his own aging is commendable. But this pope has been a failure. This is unacceptable in a person of such influence.
I may needlepoint this insightful sentence on a few pillows.
“A good old age is largely the product of setting and re-setting the boundaries and limits that best match one’s capacities to the requirements of daily life.”
If only others would follow suit. i have criticized some of this pope’s past decisions. But this one is not only spot on, it could possibly set a positive example for others in power positions.
Interesting indeed. During class the other day, I threw down on Hillary Clinton running for President in 2016 because of her recent illness and the rigors of the office. My perception was that she’s losing the physical capabilities of doing the job, but if ‘being aplomb’ means the job is not as hard as I would perceive it myself… She may not have the functional reserve, but if she doesn’t need the same reserves because she so far ahead of the curve on how to get things done. Maybe she is still in the running. Pope is stepping down, eh. Didn’t see that coming, but I went to Catholic High School. Looks like this Pope is going to set some standards for a lot of people to re-think.
Positive ageism is when we determine our own finish line and NOT those that think we’re finished. Only then will Seniors (50 plus| be able to live an active, creative, productive and prosperous retirement life.
This is extremely well stated, Joe. The words “… we determine our own finish line and not those that think we’re finished” are Made to Stick.