Benedict 'won't be the last pope to quit' POPE Benedict XVI's decision to resign is likely to be repeated by future pontiffs, a professor of theology says. Professor Neil Ormerod, from the Australian Catholic University, says the Pope's resignation shows that being the head of the Catholic Church does not have to be a life-long role. His resignation is a precedent for other Popes to follow. It shows the job is not a life sentence. It is very demanding and you need good physical ability to do it," Prof Ormerod told AAP. He has shown there's no shame in backing out. Prof Ormerod said while the Pontiff was "much less a public Pope" than others in his role in the past, his resignation would nonetheless be a shock for many Australians. For Catholics it would be a complete surprise, as they've never experienced this before. Prof Ormerod said he would like to see someone outside of Europe, such as in Africa or Asia, appointed as the new Pope. "Those countries have a lot more vitality and energy, a greater experience of the struggles in the world," he said. Europe is a bit more old and tired, and weighed down with the past.