Renouncing the Ministry of the Bishop of Rome

The world is stunned and full of disbelief when the head of the highest office in the Roman Catholic Church announced his resignation due to age and declining health. And by doing so, he became the first pontiff to resign in 600 years, perhaps since the middle ages. 

Monday the 11th of February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI called a meeting of cardinals to tell them of "a decision of great importance for the life of the church", reports have said. Least that the cardinals have known that it will be the renouncing of the ministry of the Bishop of Rome. And according to one of those summoned to hear the announcement, none of the cardinals had expected it and they were all left in deep silence and astounded then were just looking at one another. 

Pope Benedict’s resignation was left with intense speculation as to the real reason why he step down and leave the papacy. And there must be something deeper than of his age that he can no longer carry his duties of the Petrine ministry and that he lacks strength to accomplish his job as the Bishop of Rome. One report have said, that the pope simply took a sheet of paper and read from it that he was resigning on 28 February 2013 and end his almost eight years papacy. 

Pope Benedict XVI, age 85, will become Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger after 28 February 2013 and the papacy, the Holy See, the See of Saint Peter will be vacant until the conclaves of cardinals convene to elect a new supreme pontiff.

NB: Image from wikimedia commons.

The World is waiting for Real-United Matchup

I guess I don’t have to say it that you have to mark your calendar on 13 February 2013 and you must not forget what you must do when your clock turns 1945GMT because as the Special One have said that the Champions League round of 16 clash between Real Madrid and Manchester United is what the world is waiting for. It is the matchup that the world wants, added Mourinho. 

It is perhaps the most anticipated match between Premier League and La Liga giants and probably much better to outshine the Champions League finals, but that was just me saying. ManU has never lost a single game since the start of 2013 and are victorious in 13 of their 17 past games. While the Los Blancos, on the other hand, perhaps are still enjoying their roller coaster ride of the season by winning those big matches just like what they did to Sevilla last Saturday and then dropping the ones against lowly clubs on the table. 

And so Mourinho continue that people are not waiting for any other game, so you better not miss out what the world is waiting for as Real Madrid and Manchester United face each other in the last 16 first leg tie at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, 13 February 2013, 1945GMT. As both teams are desperate to win their Champions League showdown but the obsession is much for Real as they seek to extend their record 9 Champions League titles.

The Roller Coaster Ride of the Season

It is undeniable that I am a die-hard fan of Real Madrid and it is one of the motivations that prompted me to watch “The Battle of the Champions” between Spain and Uruguay at the Khalifa International Stadium. But unfortunate events happened days before it was staged and some of Real Madrid’s Spanish players did not made in the line-up due to injuries they sustained during one of their La Liga matches. Most notably is the number 1 player and captain, Iker Casillas, hand injury from accidental kick by Arbeloa during their match against Valencia. 

But that’s not what this post is all about; I just don’t seem to understand what’s happening now for the reining La Liga champions this season with their see-saw games starting from the opening match. They won today with tough opponents and lose tomorrow with lowly and struggling clubs. They seem can’t gather themselves to get into the winnings ways that made them Spanish champions last season. Many have said that Real Madrid is mathematically cannot defend the La Liga title anymore as they lie third in the table and a whooping 16 points behind leaders Barca. 

So they are now focusing their view in winning the Copa del Rey and the Champions league instead but that won’t come very handy as they face not just tough but arduous opponents. In the former, they’re against arch rival Barca in the semi-finals, drawing 1-1 in the first leg at the Bernabeu and the return leg is later this month on 26 February at Camp Nou. While their Champions League quest in round of 16 will start on Wednesday at the Bernabeu against Premier League giants Manchester United. 

And of course you know then what I’d love to have from the results of the match yet have mixed feelings as they lost to Granada last weekend then dismantled Sevilla yesterday. With that alone, you can now imagine Real Madrid’s roller coaster ride of the season.

NB: Image from wikimedia commons.