Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world today when he announced his plans to resign as the head of the Catholic Church at the end of this month.
Benedict, 85, has cited age and his declining health as reason behind his decision. The last time a Pope gave up his chair was 600 years ago.
"After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths due to an advanced age are no longer suited for the task,” said the pope.
The pope said that "both strength of mind and body are necessary, strengths which in the last few months, have deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me."
This means that after the resignation takes effect on Feb. 28, a conclave of cardinals will be held, probably in March, to elect a successor.
"Before Easter (March 31), we will have the new pope," the Rev. Federico Lombardi, a Vatican spokesman, said at a news conference. "It's not a decision he has just improvised," Lombardi said. "It's a decision he has pondered."
The pope's brother, Georg Ratzinger, said the pontiff had been advised by his doctor not to take any more transatlantic trips and had been considering stepping down for months.
