The Pope resigns!

Crusader · 02-11-2013, 07:01 AM

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign "because of advanced age." The 85-year-old will be the first head of the Catholic Church to step down in almost 600 years.

Pope Benedict to resign at the end of the month, Vatican says - CNN.com

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign at the end of this month after nearly eight years as the head of the Catholic Church, saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85.

The unexpected development surprised governments, Vatican-watchers and even the 85-year-old's closest aides.

The Vatican says it expects a new Pope to be elected before the end of March, ahead of Easter.

BBC News - Pope Benedict XVI in shock resignation

Pope Benedict XVI of the Roman Catholic Church has decided to resign from his post due to ill health, the Vatican has announced.

"The pope announced that he will leave his ministry at 8:00 pm (19:00 GMT) on February 28," said a Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, on Monday.

Benedict, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, is the 265th pope, and began his papacy on April 19, 2005.

The pope had announced his decision in Latin during a canonisation ceremony on Monday morning, reported Al Jazeera's Sabina Castelfranco from Bologna. She said the move to resign was "something that we have not seen in modern times".

Benedict, 85, said that he no longer had the strength to fulfil his duties, due to his advanced age, according to a statement from the Vatican.

Pope Benedict XVI to resign - Europe - Al Jazeera English

02-11-2013, 07:01 AM	#1
Crusader Resident Swede Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Märsta, Sweden Posts: 8,033	The Pope resigns! Pope Benedict XVI is to resign "because of advanced age." The 85-year-old will be the first head of the Catholic Church to step down in almost 600 years. Pope Benedict to resign at the end of the month, Vatican says - CNN.com Pope Benedict XVI is to resign at the end of this month after nearly eight years as the head of the Catholic Church, saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85. The unexpected development surprised governments, Vatican-watchers and even the 85-year-old's closest aides. The Vatican says it expects a new Pope to be elected before the end of March, ahead of Easter. BBC News - Pope Benedict XVI in shock resignation Pope Benedict XVI of the Roman Catholic Church has decided to resign from his post due to ill health, the Vatican has announced. "The pope announced that he will leave his ministry at 8:00 pm (19:00 GMT) on February 28," said a Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, on Monday. Benedict, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, is the 265th pope, and began his papacy on April 19, 2005. The pope had announced his decision in Latin during a canonisation ceremony on Monday morning, reported Al Jazeera's Sabina Castelfranco from Bologna. She said the move to resign was "something that we have not seen in modern times". Benedict, 85, said that he no longer had the strength to fulfil his duties, due to his advanced age, according to a statement from the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI to resign - Europe - Al Jazeera English
	W.T. Sherman is my favorite General. After all he did order Atlanta to be burned to the ground.