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‘Fk Off, German Ct’: Death Wishes and Hate Swirl on Social Media Following Pope Benedict’s Resignation Announcement

Feb. 11, 2013 9:18am Billy Hallowell

Editor’s Note: The following story includes offensive themes and language.

Pope Benedict XVI Receives Death Wishes and Hate Following Resignation Announcement

Pope Benedict XVI (Photo Credit: AP)

This morning, the world learned that Pope Benedict XVI will become the first head of the Catholic Church to resign in 600 years. The Vatican, citing illness, announced that he will leave his position on Feb. 28. While many have responded with prayer and favorable words for Benedict, others have taken to social media to show contempt and to hurl hate-filled insults. From death wishes to overt disrespect, the themes and messages are overwhelmingly troubling.

Among the more prominent individuals to make his voice heard on the matter was Frankie Boyle, a BBC star and comedian. He took to Twitter to joke that the pope is likely hell-bound, writing that Benedict will soon be laughing alongside Adolf Hitler.

.@pontifexDon’t worry, in a few months you’ll be laughing about this. With Hitler in Hell.

— Frankie Boyle (@frankieboyle) February 11, 2013

He followed this up with additional tweets, quipping about Benedict resigning after having sexual relations with a woman (obviously something he conjured up in an attempt to spawn laughter) and making other bizarre comments.

The Pope must have done something even the Church finds unacceptable. I’m guessing he’s shagged an adult woman.

— Frankie Boyle (@frankieboyle) February 11, 2013

There’ll be a resignation ceremony for the Pope, where he fires electrical rays from his fingers as Darth Vader throws him down a lift shaft

— Frankie Boyle (@frankieboyle) February 11, 2013

Boyle wasn’t alone, though, in spouting such commentary. Twitchy captured other instances of offensive messages emerging in the wake of the Vatican’s announcement. From wishing death upon Benedict to using offensive names and expletives to describe him, the statements coming from many Twitter users were especially vile.

Here’s a sampling:

Hey, @pontifex: why don’t you die like every guy before you.

— Jens Vanderbeke (@JenzlWashington) February 11, 2013

Fuck the pope and every practicing Chatholic.Evil people

— Anup the S’eair (@MatthuMiller) February 11, 2013

Hahahaha yes @pontifex, congrats on the retirement, now DIE

— Kieran Morris (@hipsterscumbag) February 11, 2013

So, Pope Benedict XVI @pontifex has resigned. Good fucking riddance, you hate-filled, homophobic, divisive, antediluvian little Nazi.

— Darren (@MetalOllie) February 11, 2013

#Pope Benedict XVI Resign you sick bastard!!

— Blackout Sappy #MTV (@BlackoutSappy) February 11, 2013

@pontifex is abdicating in 17 days – BEST. NEWS. EVER. You were an absolute disgrace, hating women, aids sufferers… Fuck off, German cunt.

— Jay (@jasmine_marien) February 11, 2013

Resignation via slitting your wrists in a bathtub please @pontifex.

— Morally Bankrupt(@snaisy) February 11, 2013

Some even created fake messages and pretended to re-tweet (share) them as though they were coming from the pope’s Twitter account (@Pontifex is his username). Here are some examples:

Steady on old boy. RT @pontifex: fuck you and fuck your shitty job!!!1!!

— Ben (@ben_postgate) February 11, 2013

RT @pontifex Fuck this, i’m done.

— Max Vedel (@SoGreeen) February 11, 2013

RT @pontifex: Fuck the lot of ya. Go to hell. Cunts.

— something in the way (@AllApologies_) February 11, 2013

So, there you go. And that’s only a sampling, as there’s sure to be more hate flying across social media in the wake of the announcement. It’s one thing to disagree with a religious system or the leaders that comprise it, but wishing death upon someone crosses moral boundaries, no?

What do you think about these responses? Let us know in the comments section.

(H/T: Twitchy)

–

Related:

Pope Benedict to Resign at the End of the Month — First to Do So in 600 Years

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Comments (193)

angelcat
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:02am
Nothing can help people who make such nasty, hateful comments except prayer. They will be accountable for their venom someday. Jesus made it clear it wouldn’t be easy to be a Christian and follow Him in the Church He established. I can’t help but wonder how many of the people who made such hateful comments think of themselves as inclusive, accepting, loving people or even as Christians.

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- The_Doors_Of_Perception
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 4:33pm
  nothing fails like prayer
  
  Report this comment
athiest-infedel
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:53am
Don’t forget that the pope said that pedophelia is becoming more socially acceptable, do none of you find that statement a little disturbing???

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- ColoradoCassie
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:15pm
  He never said that. Poor dear, you really must get a grip on reality.
  
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EndofDaysAreHere
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:29am
This is only the beginning. The vile and hate-filled words from the non-believers will rival anything that has ever been witnessed by mankind before. But, in the end they will lie deep in their own crap and suffocate with the rest of this world’s sick human beings.

These people relish the acknowledgement they get for their behavior. Why do you give it to them, TheBlaze?

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Bamagal0007
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:24am
Most from the UK…my bet is these leaches are OWS.

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- barber2
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:14am
  Yes. The ” anti” capitalists are a rather angry, dysfunctional crowd. Guess it’s that “anti” thing. Remind you of any local group or political party ?!
  
  Report this comment
De-Elect
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:23am
Jay @jasmine_marien
Pointing out that he is German says alot about you.

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solo1
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:20am
Oh the wacky left. Those scamps. Tolerance for everyone, sing kumbaya, makes some smores.
Unless you disagree with them then their true colors run.
Human filth, all of them.

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RANGER1965
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:17am
The next pope will embrace the more publicly acceptable value system of the secular world.

He will find compromises to make Christianity palatable to the modern liberal mind. Hitting the high points I see a Catholic Church which is concerned with the environment, Opposed to free markets and capitolism, embraces a more secular world view regarding abortion, homosexuality, and birth control.
Preaching the gospel, teaching the Word of God, being accountable to God, and knowing His grace? Eh…not so much.

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- De-Elect
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:37am
  And it’s a shame. I think that the liberal majority is an aberration created by mass media. On the ground, Americans and most of the world are center right and desire a moral compass.
  
  Report this comment
- joboww
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:12pm
  @Ranger
  
  I think you do not undertand anything when it comes to the Catholic Faith
  
  We dont play liberal or conservative thats for US Americans like yourself. One can only be an orthodox or dissenting Catholic. Plus please dont guess who the next one will be since outside of Catholics few of you have any knowledge of the Cardinals present at this time. Thanks
  
  +JMJ+
  
  Report this comment
- RANGER1965
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 3:31pm
  @JOBOWW
  
  I wish what you were saying was true. It’s not.
  
  The cardinals will be thinking more about the “Catholic Organization” rather than the faith this time around. To many black eyes.
  
  Report this comment
- joboww
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 7:31pm
  @Ranger
  
  I understand your concern but being outside of the church and misunderstanding who she is clouds your judgement (not meant to be offensive here). The church is full of sinners and saints but Her head is Christ who controls the body. I wont worry about them focusing on the organization such cardinals are indeed present but over the last 2 pontificates the selection process for cardinals has become very focused on orthodoxy. Its like when Christ calmed the storm everyone was going crazy thinking they were going to drown, but Christ promises to be with his Body through all time that the gates of hades shall not prevail. That is why we dont fear, there have been bad Popes but they are so focused on sinning personally that they take no time to sin theologically.
  
  Hope that clarifies my ease
  
  +JMJ+
  
  Report this comment
jhep3304
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:12am
Why all the excitement. Sounds like typical, normal LGBT conversation that we’ve all become use to by not. They cannot change their way of expressing themselves given the deep self-loathing evident in all of them.

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KeithOlberdink
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:11am
Yep, Satan is active today. The leftists are showing their true colors. Forward Degenerates!

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rockymtngal
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:10am
There are plenty of “representatives” sitting on Capital Hill who should follow the Pope’s example. It is quite obvious that Nancy Smellosi doesn’t know the difference between the 1st and 2nd amendment is. I’ve found that those who cuss, seem to have a very limited vocabulary. While I’m not a Catholic, I respect the Pope and his decision to step down.

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DougHuffman
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:05am
Well, DaBlasé’s fusion with uncivil social social media is complete then.

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walnutportconservative
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:04am
The events within the Catholic Religious leadership overwhelms even non Catholics. I am certain the issues within are killing him.
How does God look at it?

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RightUnite
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:03am
Gee… Let me guess… Ah, the tweeters are all liberal, athiests…. What did I win?

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lel2007
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:03am
The devil’s working overtime these days.

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MBA
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:03am
Lot’s of evil people out there. (Most of them our running this country!) Give this man a break–if he can’t do the job have some respect that he is willing to step aside to allow someone else run the church who is capable. It would be nice if this country had polticians who realized they were incompetent and incapable of running a country and step aside.

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toomuchgovt
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:02am
I don’t even understand why the church would start a tweeter account for the Pope. Tweeter is a vile universe. Maybe he resigned after seeing this evil, he decided to spend the rest of his days in prayer for all of us.

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- Tigress1
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:05am
  Daniel in the lion’s den.
  
  Report this comment
Snipet
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:58am
Well we should all listen to a vulgar british comedian. He must be the smartest person on earth wait he is british and reports to a Queen did he get permission to speak aloud. I am sure he did a guy like this obviously has covered all his bases and does not just make off the cuff comments. Just like the rest of the hate filled individuals out there. I sure hope they are as smart as the comedian. I wonder what they would say if we spoke about someone they may have respected. It just goes to show you stupid people yes stupid people extoll meaningless speak when they have nothing meaninfull to say

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ColoradoCassie
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:58am
Anti Catholic venom has been going on for 2,000 years. The fact that we now have internet and social media it makes it easier for the cowards to spew their vile and hateful rhetoric in an anonymous fashion. The very fact that they can do this anonymously makes them cowards. We have a just God and people such as these will be dealt with accordingly.

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grimmster
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:55am
This is the type or hatred cowards and as my grandmother used to say,”sacredy cats” use.They fear anything religious simply because they live such sordid life,they not only hump the same sex, but my guess, animals as well,but thats ok, sooner or later, either here or after death,they will be judged……..

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KalanVA
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:55am
While reading these wretched comments, I was reminded of this magnificent comment:
“Faith activates God – Fear activates the Enemy.” (Joel Osteen)

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rharvey23
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:54am
I seem to recall that there is a prophecy concerning the number of popes before judgement comes. The next pope is supposed to be the last. Interesting times.

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ozchambers
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:54am
Its surprising how much hatred is coming from these people considering the person they apparently despise is stepping down from power. I would expect a somewhat happier response from these people. If Obama said he was going to step down, I’d likely zip my lip and hope he doesnt change his mind.

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Sharon Rose
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:53am
Tese vile people, if you can call them that, have no heart or soul. No wonder the world is in the shape its in, so much hate. God wins in the end.

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- Sharon Rose
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:55am
  “these”
  
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- Sharon Rose
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:56am
  these, not tese, my bad keyboard
  
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ArmedAndReallyPissed
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:51am
Decay of Society ? Where ?

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Nevermind
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:48am
These tweets are no worse than the majorty of posts on this site about the President. FOlks in glass houses shouldnt throw stones perhaps

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- KalanVA
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:00am
  You are assuming the President is equivalent with the Pope…just checking…
  I have seen nasty tweets coming from the White House not so sure as many nasty tweets have come from the Vatican. You might want to check that :)
  
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