Pope Benedict XVI will resign at the end of
February, the Vatican Press Office tells Breeze Magazine.
February, the Vatican Press Office tells Breeze Magazine.
The 85-year-old made the announcement Monday,
saying he no longer had the strength to carry out his papal duties.
saying he no longer had the strength to carry out his papal duties.
“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,” the pope said according to a statement released by the Vatican.
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,” the pope said according to a statement released by the Vatican.
He said he is aware of the “seriousness”
of his resignation, but that he did so in “full freedom.”
of his resignation, but that he did so in “full freedom.”
The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII, who
stepped down in 1415 in a deal to end the Great Western Schism among competing
papal claimants.
stepped down in 1415 in a deal to end the Great Western Schism among competing
papal claimants.
The move sets the stage for the Vatican to hold a
conclave to elect a new pope by mid-March, since the traditional mourning time
that would follow the death of a pope doesn’t have to be observed.
conclave to elect a new pope by mid-March, since the traditional mourning time
that would follow the death of a pope doesn’t have to be observed.
There are several papal contenders in the wings,
but no obvious front-runner as was the case when Benedict was elected pontiff
in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II.
but no obvious front-runner as was the case when Benedict was elected pontiff
in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II.
