When the Pope announced this morning that he was resigning, he mentioned that he could no longer lead given "the pressures of spiritual leadership in the modern world."

The modern world is reacting by pointing out some of the ways in which the Catholic Church might better respond to those pressures: especially when it comes to women, gay people, the sex abuse crisis in the Church, and Rome's relationship with other great world religions. Here is a mix of old and new selections from Progressive writers--check back for more throughout the day.

--Ruth Conniff

Kate Clinton, humorist and recovering Catholic, has been watching the Pope throughout his career:

Thee Um Butlerum Itum Didium Est

St. Alf’s Science Fair

A survivor of priest sexual abuse filed this firsthand report about taking the Pope to the Hague:

Why we’re taking the pope to The Hague

Will Durst, Pope Benedict announced he is resigning on February 28th. He then expects to go into training and is favored to win this year’s Tour de France.

March 29, 2010
The Vatican is going to keep having problems with Popes, as long as they insist on recruiting them from the ranks of Catholic priests.