Pope Benedict XVI is to
stand down as leader of the Catholic Church, he announced today.
In a decision that has
shocked even his closest aides, the 85-year-old Pontiff said his health was 'no
longer adequate to continue in office due to his advanced age'.
He announced his
resignation in Latin to a meeting of Vatican cardinals this morning, emphasizing
that leading more than a billion Roman Catholics worldwide requires 'both
strength of mind and body.'
The Pope's decision is
unprecedented. He is the first to resign since Gregory XII in 1415, but no
Pontiff in history has stepped down on health grounds.
Although officials said
there had been no pressure for him to resign, the internet is already awash
with speculation that there was a more sinister reason behind his decision.
Speaking in one of the Vatican's state rooms, the Pope today told
cardinals: '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.
'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 barque 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 fulfill the ministry entrusted to
me.'
He said he was making
the decision in 'full freedom' but was 'fully aware of the gravity of this
gesture'.
culled from dailymail.co.uk
