A surprising announcement from Rome this morning. Details are still being released but Pope Benedict has announced his resignation due to health concerns. From Reuters:
Pope Benedict
said on Monday he will resign on Feb 28 because he no longer has the
strength to fulfill the duties of his office, becoming the first pontiff
since the Middle Ages to take such a step.
The 85-year-old pope said he
had noticed that his strength had deteriorated over recent months "to
the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately
fulfill 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," he said according to a statement from the
Vatican.
A Vatican spokesman said
the pontiff would step down from 1900 GMT on February 28, leaving the
office vacant until a successor is chosen.
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