Sex abuse, one said. Perhaps unflattering news about the treatment the Pope's butler received in the Vatican jail.
Maybe it was a long line of stories set to be released about church abuse of children?
All these rumors ...all these stories.
What is not in doubt: This Pope is advanced in age, and controversial due to his handling as cardinal Raztinger of sexual-abusing-priests.
Also not in doubt: The Vatican is secretive and powerful, with more intrigue and scandal than even the halls of Congress.
But this may not smell to 'high heaven' as much as some think.
After all, we have an aging pontiff and a flock of Cardinals vying for power ... That could be enough ingredients to force action, force a resignation, and now change the world.
One comment in NBC news' story:
And the world will never know what corruption this pope hid on his watch. The next pope will do the same -- hide money laundering, pedophile priests, slave laundries and who knows what else under the guise of religion.
Many assertions and assumptions are being made about the deeper reasons Benedict is stepping down. All reasons prompted, however, by the actions of the Church over decades.
We are in uncharted territory ...the Vatican needs to dust off the rule book from 1400 now..