Karol Wojtyla Pope John Paul II
and Pope Ratzinger Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI Joseph Ratzinger To Resign On Feb. 28
The Vatican said on Monday in a shock announcement that Pope Benedict XVI will resign his office from February 28.
"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," he told the cardinals.
"I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only by 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 govern the bark of St. Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary — strengths which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately the ministry entrusted to me."
The announcement will come as a surprise to millions of Catholics around the world.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope in 2005 after the death of John Paul II.
Pope Benedict XVI is 85 years old.
He will be the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.
