mind alone

The pope released a statement saying "my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry", further he explained that "both strengths of mind and body are necessary". 

My first reaction was disappointment. 

Because of individuals like Charles Krauthammer and Stephen Hawking, who achieve so much purely on the strength of their minds, and because of all the benefits of the internet age, we came to believe that the mind alone can "adequately fulfill" any role. Exceptionalism is valued and employers have responded with greater tolerance and flexibility. The Pope's decision to resign does go against that trend, and may challenge the faith of those struggling with physical health. 

But who really knows what's going on in the Vatican. Here's to the Pope that was: some of his glossiest moments. Be sure not to miss the Vatican's artist in residence, Natalia Tsarkova posing with her portrait of the Pope Benedict; I leave it to you to decide if its ironic in the contemporary Jeff Koons sense or just conservative.

Common Romance