Pope Benedict XVI Steps Down in Surprise Announcement

By admin February 11, 2013 18:21

Pope Benedict XVI surprised the world with his announcement Monday that he would resign at the end of February.

The first pontiff to leave his post in nearly 600 years, the decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.

The 85-year-old pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals to name three new saints Monday morning.

“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.

The pope added: “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.”