Papal retirement - am I just cynical?

I just can't shift the idea out of my head.

Popes don't retire; at least, not voluntarily.  

Of course, throughout the shameful history of the Roman Catholic sect there have been many forced retirements.  These have usually been the sorts of retirement employed by the Mafia - fatal.  In a few cases, the retirements have taken the form of forced exile.

What about this one?  Is the poor chap really simply too old and frail to carry on? He's not nearly as feeble or gaga as some within living memory. Perhaps he has more sense than most and wants to die with some degree of dignity instead of being kept alive as a puppet figurehead. Or perhaps he has been forced out.

Is there something in his past that is in danger of coming to light? Is it blackmail by those who oppose his papal declarations? Could it be a personal fear of potential embarrassment? Is 'mother church' worried about something popping out of the closet? 

All this is very unfair. The truth, of course, is that I am taking the view that there is no smoke without fire. But this expression is not true when applied to people. It would be more true to say that there is no hurtful gossip without empty speculation. And, yes, I have to admit that these thoughts I claim are inexcapable are purely speculation. I have invented the smoke out of my own imagination; out of my prejudices and pride. 

The one thing in all this that I know is true, is that no one should be in the position of being a pope or any other form of leadership that is, to all intents and purposes, unquestionable. This applies as much to archbishops, moderators, apostolic leaders or whatever titles people take. If the RC sect wants to act as the body of Jesus then now is the time to renounce the wordly, commercial, power-based model of leadership. 

Naturally, this is no more likely to happen than with the Anglican's recent change of archbishop. These denominations - all denominations - are the same, with each wanting to maintain its own  distinctiveness and hierarchy.  

This is the opposite of what Jesus said.

Is that surprising? Not really! Or am I being cynical again?