Podcast Summary

Podcast: Todo Concostrina
Episode: Acontece que no es poco | Cuando un papa abdica…
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Date: October 26, 2022
Platform: SER Podcast

Overview

This episode of Acontece que no es poco dives into the rare but recurring phenomenon of papal abdications. Nieves Concostrina brings her signature irreverent, insightful style to explore how and why popes have resigned throughout history, challenges to the Church's image of divinity and exceptionality, and the very human politics operating behind Vatican walls. With current and former popes both alive and rumors of new resignations swirling, Concostrina reflects on the precedent and spectacle of papal "dimisiones," offering historical context, gossip, and no shortage of biting humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Modern Papal Abdications: Not So New After All

• Nieves opens by referencing the ongoing awkwardness in the Vatican: a retired Pope (Benedict XVI), a reigning one (Francisco), and “campaña” for the next, including a Filipino candidate.
• She notes the “situaciones muy incómodas y peligrosas” caused by having more than one living pope—something played down but not unprecedented.
• Quote [00:53]:

  "En el Estado Vaticano se están dando situaciones muy, muy incómodas. Muy incómodas y peligrosas. Que tampoco son nada nuevo, porque esto lleva ocurriendo desde hace 18 siglos. Pero es que ahora todo se sabe…"
  (Nieves Concostrina)

2. The Media Spectacle and Church's Image Crisis

• The dramatic coverage of Benedict’s resignation is critiqued as overblown—“no falta mucho para ver la siguiente dimisión.”
• Nieves predicts that resignations may become common: popes retire, then another is elected, and so on.
• She satirizes the annual photo-ops and the cold relationship between Benedict and Francisco, highlighting the image management efforts for outsiders.

  "Francisco visita todos los años en abril a Benedicto, no para felicitarle el cumpleaños, sino para ver si sigue vivo."
  [00:53]

3. The Myth of Papal Exceptionality

• Papal resignation is not as rare as contemporary media portrays; there are historical precedents.

• The Church, as a “multinacional,” insists on solemnity and exceptionality—resignations or scandals are too "terrenal," harming the divine mystique.

  “El señor que hay en el Vaticano es un jefe de Estado, pero con faldas.”
  [03:30]

• Relativity of Religious Rites (Satirical comparison):
  All creeds see the rituals of others as absurd; atheists think they're all nonsense. Habit and perspective define what is sacred or ridiculous.

  “Todas las religiones dicen que las otras son falsas, y lo más grande es que todas tienen razón.”
  [04:24]

4. Papal History: Abdications, Murders, and Intrigue

• Brief references to past papal abdications, e.g. Celestino V—esteemed for having resigned and later murdered on order of his successor, immortalized (negatively) by Dante.

  “Celestino V, primero dimitió y luego fue asesinado por orden de otro Papa.”
  [06:06]

• Several other popes resigned, some returning multiple times (e.g., Benedicto IX, who was pope three times and even sold his papacy).

  “Benedicto IX fue papa tres veces... la primera vez fue papa con once años, gracias a las presiones de su padre…”
  [07:41]
  “Vendió su abdicación… por 1.500 libras, Gregorio Sexto.”
  [08:01]

• Concostrina hints at future episode on “El Sínodo del Terror,” a notorious chapter of papal history involving posthumous trial of a pope.

5. The Return of Multiple Popes (and Potential New Drama)

• There's historical precedent for papal coexistence (e.g., the Western Schism: Roman pope, Avignon pope, and a third rival).

  “Como el Gran Cisma de Occidente, en el que hubo hasta tres papas al retortero…”
  [08:54]

• The supposed rivalry between Benedict and Francis is mirrored in history—presented as amicable, but actually fraught with political antagonism.

6. Scandals, Contradictions, and (Literal) Business

• The Vatican's proclaimed poverty versus actual dealings: A recent controversy over leasing Vatican property for a luxury shopping mall.

  “El Vaticano acaba de alquilar a una multinacional uno de sus edificios... para instalar un macrocentro comercial de marcas de lujo…”
  [10:01]

• The Jesuit tradition of pragmatism and “hypocrisy”; the dictionary even defines “jesuita” as hypocritical.

  “Te define jesuita primero como miembro de la Compañía de Jesús y luego dice hipócrita disimulado. Eso lo pone el diccionario.”
  [11:09]

7. Living Conditions of the Pope Emeritus

• Benedict XVI lives not in a modest monastery but a lavish four-story house, attended by a devoted household staff.

  “No es un convento. Es un casoplón de cuatro plantas rodeado de preciosos y cuidadísimos jardines…”
  [11:25]

8. The Looming Next Resignation

• Francisco also wishes to resign, and media speculation is rife; ultraconservatives in Church circles hope for it.

• Francisco does not want to repeat the fate of Juan Pablo II, remaining visibly infirm in office.

  “Lo que no quiere es verse babeando como Juan Pablo II delante de las cámaras.”
  [12:20]

• There is pressure for Francisco to stay on until Benedict passes away, to avoid a triple papacy or further confusion.

Memorable Quotes

• Nieves Concostrina [04:24]

  “Es una multinacional con todas las letras y sucursales en todo el mundo.”

• Nieves Concostrina [05:36]

  “Todas las religiones dicen que las otras son falsas, y lo más grande es que todas tienen razón.”

• Nieves Concostrina [11:09]

  “Te define jesuita primero como miembro de la Compañía de Jesús y luego dice hipócrita disimulado. Eso lo pone el diccionario.”

Notable Moments

• [06:06]: The story of Celestino V’s resignation and murder.
• [07:38]: The story of Benedicto IX, papal musical chairs, and selling the papacy.
• [08:54]: Reference to the Great Western Schism and potential for triple popes today.
• [10:01]: Revelation about the Vatican luxury shopping center.
• [11:25]: Description of Benedict XVI’s residence and household.
• [12:20]: Francisco’s thoughts and pressures related to possible resignation.

Conclusion

With a characteristic mix of acerbic humor, historical anecdotes, and sharp critique, Nieves Concostrina demystifies papal resignations, exposing their historical roots and persistent presence. The institution's efforts to maintain a divine aura unravel under her scrutiny, revealing a centuries-old theater of power, intrigue, and very human contradictions—more “terrenal” than divine.