You guys are missing the point, I think. His prosecution and even conviction is irrelevant. He just admitted guilt by attempting to secure immunity. To the whole world. The real damage was done.

Quote from: "Nonsensei"You guys are missing the point, I think. His prosecution and even conviction is irrelevant. He just admitted guilt by attempting to secure immunity. To the whole world. The real damage was done.

I think that's a stretch. I'm not going to defend the guy or the church, but there other possibilities besides guilt.

If I was in a position to receive immunity should I ask for it, and I felt I stood little chance of being able to receive a fair trial for whatever reason, I might be inclined to ask for said immunity. Like I said, I don't want to defend the guy nor the church but I would not consider this action as any kind of admission of guilt or evidence of same.

I was hoping this was true, but after much googling, no reputable news source is reporting it.

In fact, I found this, which I happen to agree with:

//http://skepticink.com/dangeroustalk/2013/02/15/did-the-pope-really-seek-immunity-for-war-crimes/

Quotealleges that "The International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State" is seeking to prosecute the Pope for crimes against humanity. He certainly does deserve to be prosecuted for such crimes, but I don't think this story is true. First, I never heard of this tribunal and if it did exist, it would be busy with many more crimes of Church/State violations. Besides, the Vatican doesn't even have a church/state separation. It isn't America.
Second, why would the Pope need to beg the Italian president for anything? The Pope doesn't live in Italy. He lives in Vatican City where he is the Pope! Vatican City is a sovereign nation. While it is located within the borders of Italy, it is not part of Italy. If the Pope wanted immunity, he would just need to ask the Vatican City head of state. That would be him.
Unless The International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State is prepared to storm the country with troops, the Pope already has immunity. Is it possible that the UN could level sanctions of some kind on the Vatican to get them to give up the Pope? Sure, it's possible, but highly improbable without multiple nations calling for prosecution including the United State government. According to the article, there is just one unnamed nation calling for prosecution.
I think this story is bullshit. It would be great if it were true but I almost certainly isn't true. No reputable news source is reporting this. Instead, they are focused on where the Pope will live after retirement... and prison wasn't one of the options. If this were true, the mainstream media would certainly cover it in some fashion.

Quote from: "Nonsensei"You guys are missing the point, I think. His prosecution and even conviction is irrelevant. He just admitted guilt by attempting to secure immunity. To the whole world. The real damage was done.

Here Here!!

Quote from: "WitchSabrina"

Quote from: "Nonsensei"You guys are missing the point, I think. His prosecution and even conviction is irrelevant. He just admitted guilt by attempting to secure immunity. To the whole world. The real damage was done.

Here Here!!

But...there is no evidence he attempted any such thing.  I mean, if it comes out he did, I'll eat my words (if you can loan me some nice spicy mustard!!), but this news story is most likely not true.

//http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/343606

The Italian Government IS Italy.  And if he leaves Vatican City (much like Julian Assange leaving the Ecuadorian Embassy), he could be arrested by the nation surrounding where he resides.

Quote from: "SvZurich"The Italian Government IS Italy.  And if he leaves Vatican City (much like Julian Assange leaving the Ecuadorian Embassy), he could be arrested by the nation surrounding where he resides.

And the government of Italy has a treaty with the Papal State which recognizes the Papal State as its own sovereign state and the Pope as the head of that state thereby that mean that the Pope has diplomatic immunity just like any other head of state who visits Italy. They can't and will not touch. This whole thing is merely wishful thinking.

^ Except the Ratz resigned as Pope (head of state), remember?

Unless that protection extends to former heads of state, the Ratz can now be arrested as he no longer represents the Papal State.

Quote from: "Bobby_Ouroborus"

Quote from: "SvZurich"The Italian Government IS Italy.  And if he leaves Vatican City (much like Julian Assange leaving the Ecuadorian Embassy), he could be arrested by the nation surrounding where he resides.

And the government of Italy has a treaty with the Papal State which recognizes the Papal State as its own sovereign state and the Pope as the head of that state thereby that mean that the Pope has diplomatic immunity just like any other head of state who visits Italy. They can't and will not touch. This whole thing is merely wishful thinking.

Once he ceases to be the Pope he is no longer the head of anything. In the eyes of the law he is just some guy who aided and abetted child rape.

Quote from: "Nonsensei"

Quote from: "Bobby_Ouroborus"

Quote from: "SvZurich"The Italian Government IS Italy.  And if he leaves Vatican City (much like Julian Assange leaving the Ecuadorian Embassy), he could be arrested by the nation surrounding where he resides.

And the government of Italy has a treaty with the Papal State which recognizes the Papal State as its own sovereign state and the Pope as the head of that state thereby that mean that the Pope has diplomatic immunity just like any other head of state who visits Italy. They can't and will not touch. This whole thing is merely wishful thinking.

Once he ceases to be the Pope he is no longer the head of anything. In the eyes of the law he is just some guy who aided and abetted child rape.

Once he ceases to be Pope, he will still be a Cardinal and probably retain diplomatic status as a representative of the Papal State which most Cardinals are. Sorry the article is pure unadulterated BULLSHIT and a pipe dream.

Yeah, the fissures in this story are pretty gaping.

Ratzinger being Pope or No Pope will be protected by the Catholic Church till the end of his days; likely even revered by many *gag*  To do otherwise would be admitting shame and they cannot allow that.  His petition or No petition for protection won't mean anything when they go to beat the dirt from the rug.  He'll be protected - but by the church (never forgetting the true power they wield)   Just check history.  
Times they are a'changing when it comes to the internet and available information but mark my words Ratzinger will be protected by the church.  In fact, there may be even dirtier business yet to ensure his protection.  I wouldn't be surprised if people weren't eliminated or killed to accomplish his protection.  JesusPete - the power of the church! - eegads!

 :shock:  :shock:  :shock:  :shock:  :shock:

Current heads of state don't have immunity from anything. The African Union Summit was cancelled because Malawi's threat to arrest Omar al-Bashir on ICC warrants.  Former heads of state have to be careful about their travels as well.  Augusto Pinochet was arrested in the UK on criminal charges made in Spain.

When i heard he was stepping down, my first thought was, "He's guilty." I agree the story of him seeking immunity is BS, but it's my feeling that someone "leaked" this story to further incriminate the Rat. It might even have been a cardinal with pope aspirations.
OTOH, i'm sure there must be plenty of people who would like to take legal action against the pope, and someone might eventually find a loophole that would enable it. So there could be some truth to the story.
Regardless, I predict within the next two decades all will be forgiven and forgotten, and Pedopope Rat will be beatified.