By Claire Hadley
The world was shocked this morning as 85-year-old Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation to a Vatican assembly. After serving less than eight years in office, Benedict will be the first pope to willingly resign in six centuries.
Benedict told the Catholic community that he would give up his office on Feb. 28. The Vatican hopes to elect a successor by the end of March, so to have a Church-head to lead them through Easter, Rev. Federico Lombardi, Vatican Spokesman said, according to the New York Times. He added that the timing for the selection of a new pope is "not an announcement, it's a hypothesis."
There are several contenders in the College of Cardinals, the papal electoral body, in which the pope gathered many kindred spirits, but no obvious choices yet, reported Fox News. However, a Vatican spokesperson told "Fox & Friends" that Benedict will not participate in the conclave to choose his successor.
The pope is claiming the stress of physical ailments and advanced age to his carefully thought-out decision.
"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."
"There's nothing immediately serious or grave," a Vatican spokesman told ABC. The spiritual leader of over one billion Roman Catholics made his announcement to a large congregation, as many cardinals were in Rome today for a ceremony at the Vatican.
"His age is weighing on him," Georg Ratzinger, the pope's 89-year-old brother said to Fox News, "At this age my brother wants more rest."
"For this reason [my health], 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," Benedict said this morning, according to the Chicago Tribune. Benedict made his announcement in Latin, but it was translated into seven global languages: Italian, French, English, German, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish. The pope will first retire to his summer home in the hills outside of Rome, but will eventually return to live in the Vatican City.
The Catholic community was not prepared for the pope's announcement, nor are they used to their spiritual leader leaving except in cases of severe old age and death, as the last Pope to willing resign was Celestine V in 1294. He reigned for only five months, and his resignation was parodied in the poet Dante's "Divine Comedy", and was known as the "great refusal". Benedict's resignation was not because of difficulties in the papacy, Vatican spokesman told the Chicago Tribune, unlike his Medieval predecessor.
Responses to the sudden declaration have consistently been reactions of surprise, as even his inner circle was unaware of his intentions, reported the Chicago Tribune. Mario Monti, Italy's prime minister, was "very shaken by the unexpected news." As Benedict is German-born, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel said the Pope's decision must be respected if he feels he is too weak to carry out his duties, according to the Chicago Tribune.
"He will be missed as a spiritual leader to millions," British Prime Minister David Cameron said. Elected April 19, 2005, Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI, 265th in the position, following the death of John Paul II.
"We must trust in the mighty power of God's mercy. We are all sinners, but His grace transforms us and makes us new," read Benedict's most recent tweet, posted yesterday.
