Pope Benedict XVI to resign citing poor health
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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 - the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years - surprised governments, Vatican-watchers and even his closest aides.
The Vatican says it expects a new Pope to be elected before Easter.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope in 2005 after John Paul II's death.
The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the move has come as a shock - but adds that in theory there has never been anything stopping Pope Benedict or any of his predecessors from stepping aside.
Under the Catholic Church's governing code, Canon Law, the only conditions for the validity of such a resignation are that it be made freely and be properly published.
But resignation is extremely rare: the last Pope to step aside was Pope Gregory XII, who resigned in 1415 amid a schism within the Church.
Doctor's advice
A Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said that even Pope Benedict's closest aides did not know what he was planning to do and were left "incredulous". He added that the decision showed "great courage" and "determination".
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti is quoted as saying he was "greatly shaken by this unexpected news".
The brother of the German-born Pope said the pontiff had been advised by his doctor not to take any more transatlantic trips and had been considering stepping down for months.
Talking from his home in Regensburg in Germany, Georg Ratzinger said his brother was having increasing difficulty walking and that his resignation was part of a "natural process".
He added: "His age is weighing on him. At this age my brother wants more rest."
The Pope is not expected to take part in the conclave that will choose his successor, and will then retire to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo when he leaves office.
Father Lombardi said the Pope would then move into a renovated monastery used by cloistered nuns inside the Vatican, for "a period of prayer and reflection".
'Full freedom'
At 78, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was one of the oldest new popes in history when elected.
He took the helm as one of the fiercest storms the Catholic Church has faced in decades - the scandal of child sex abuse by priests - was breaking.
In a statement, the pontiff said: "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 to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.
"I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.
"However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to steer the ship of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.
"For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is."
A theological conservative before and during his time as Pope, he has taken traditional positions on homosexuality and women priests, while urging abstinence instead of blessing the use of contraceptives.
His attempts at inter-faith relations were mixed, with Muslims, Jews and Protestants all taking offence at various times, despite ongoing efforts to reach out and visits to key holy sites, including those in Jerusalem.
A German government spokesman said he was "moved and touched" by the surprise resignation of the pontiff.
"The German government has the highest respect for the Holy Father, for what he has done, for his contributions over the course of his life to the Catholic Church.
"He has left a very personal signature as a thinker at the head of the Church, and also as a shepherd."
Now to put this in perspective, while many article are pointing out the "600 years" deal with the last resignation, that was with Pope Gregory XII back in 1417. However, that was during the so-called "Western Schism", so that resignation was under extraordinary circumstances to resolve the dispute. The last voluntary resignation occurred in 1294 by Pope Celestine V after only six months as Pope.
Re: Pope Benedict XVI to resign, cites health concerns
There's been speculation why the Pope resigned, lot of it revolves around whether or not he was able to address some of the church's current problems, the biggest of which is the sex abuse scandals. It's harder and harder for the pope to keep this private now with media the way it is now, even John Paul II should some signs of senility at the end. At any rate Benedict didn't seem to have the same image that JP II had before him even though ideologically they were pretty close.
It is unlikely the direction of the Church will change though. Most of the cardinals in the college were appointed by Benedict or John Paul II before him, so the next pope will likely come from their conservative wing.
Re: Pope Benedict XVI to resign, cites health concerns
Seems quite pratical to resign with bad health so someone else can do the pope's duties. Ratzinger was far older than Paul II when he was elected. I guess many expect the pople to be the pope as until death, because it's quite odd to return to "normal life".
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It is unlikely the direction of the Church will change though. Most of the cardinals in the college were appointed by Benedict or John Paul II before him, so the next pope will likely come from their conservative wing.
Really, what a liberal catholic would be like? They're for no birth control, just not pretty strict enforcing it, and for marriage that is male-female. That's pretty mild actually compared to some protestant revival moments (no TV -style restrictions) or Islam (apostasy = death threats). I wonder what you'd have to do to be a liberal Christian. Maybe be like the Church of Denmark, where an atheist pastor can cause disorder within the church - because it would be discrimination to demand that a priest should believe in their god.
Last edited by Rikupsoni; February 12th, 2013 at 06:37 PM.
Re: Pope Benedict XVI to resign, cites health concerns
Cited health concerns? A belief in the imaginary would be considered such. Should have resigned years ago. I vote for sale of the Vatican; help the poor.
Re: Pope Benedict XVI to resign, cites health concerns
The health concerns, age, what ever are of course what they are saying officially. There is likely some other problems going on that they are remaining tight-lipped on. Besides the fact that the Pope can't hide senility as easy as JP II did considering the media, there is probably some internal strife over the sex abuse cases as well as the Church continuing to deal with more and more people not listening to them any more.
It's not only by custom that Benedict will remain within the vatican even if he's carted off to the monastery. By remaining within the Vatican he also retains certain immunity guarnateed by the old Lateran accords, so he can't be called up to testify about anything legally.
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Pope Benedict XVI to resign, cites health concerns 
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