Should John Paul II have retired because of his infirmity?
The short answer
John Paul II saw staying in office as accepting the cross Christ gave him; to those urging him to resign he said Christ didn't come down from the cross. His service to the end showed the papacy is a call to service and suffering, not efficiency.
Accepting the cross
John Paul II regarded continuing in office as accepting the cross Christ had given him. He answered suggestions that he resign by saying, "Christ didn't come down off the cross."
More than efficiency
His service to the end showed the world that the papacy is about more than efficiency: it is a call to service and to suffering. Not for nothing did Benedict XVI call his own possible election "this guillotine" and pray to be spared it.
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