Without getting into detail as to sources, I want to answer those many critics of the Pope who claim he is "getting down from his cross" in resigning.
This is a total misunderstanding of the Pope as a man and as a very holy man.
When he placed his pallium on the tomb of Pope Celestine, I paid attention, and he again, visited the shrine in Aquila, Italy in 2010. Twice, this highly intelligent and sensitive Pope visited Celestine.
When the Pope placed his pallium on the tomb, I noticed that as a deliberate act. I took that as a sign of an eventual resignation. Why not? Some commentators mentioned it at the time.
This is not a Pope who acts impulsively or in the moment of emotion. This is a scholarly and reflective man who does these types of actions very deliberately.
I am a person who does things only after much thought and with deliberation.
I get misunderstood by many who NEVER think before they act.
Those of us who are reflective and move only in stages are not understood by an impulsive world.
Pope Benedict XVI is not impulsive. His character is one of deep concentration and brilliance. Perhaps, because he followed an extroverted and very spontaneous pope, Benedict has been misunderstood.
Stop accusing him of avoiding suffering.
Such a holy man has suffered and will suffer daily wherever he goes.
That is not the point.
The point is that the Holy Spirit is running the Church, not Benedict. And Benedict is responding to the Holy Spirit.
Many things are happening in the world BUT all of these are part of the large plan of God for all His creatures and His creation.
I admire and honour this Pope who responds to God first, as he has always done, and not to either the media or immature or unorthodox Catholics.
If people think that going into a monastery and entering into deep prayer is getting off the Cross, they do not understand intense prayer for the Church. Evil meets one in monasteries as well.
I, for one, trust in the Holy Spirit, who is leading the Church. This resignation is in the Will of God. All things which happen need to be seen in the light of Faith, Hope and Charity. Either one trusts in God, or one does not.