Benedict XVI will become the only Pope to see his successor, after he announced he will be stepping down as Pope during a consistory with cardinals, citing a lack of strength due to his age.
Pope Benedict to resign, citing age and waning energy
VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/GETTY IMAGES -
Pope Benedict said Monday that he will resign at the end of
February because he no longer has the strength to fulfill the duties of
his office, news services reported.
“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,” Benedict said in a statement issued by the Vatican at midday in Rome (6 a.m. Washington time).
The pope said he was “fully aware of the gravity” of his decision.
In order to lead the world’s 1 billion-plus Catholics, Benedict said, “both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength 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.”
“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,” said Benedict, who has been pope for eight years.
In accordance with church tradition, a conclave of cardinals will be convened to select the next pope. The Associated Press reported that the conclave will likely take place in mid-March.
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger became pope in 2005, a conservative, Bavarian-born theologian who was as soft-spoken as his predecessor was outgoing.
In December, he surprised some church-watchers by launching the first ever papal Twitter account, a modern day twist on a church that prides itself on adherence to the ancient tenets of its faith.
In a visit to Washington three years after becoming pope, Benedict was welcomed at the White House by President Bush and cheered by thousands of flag-waving spectators as he visited the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast Washington.
He officiated at a Mass for tens of thousands of Catholic faithful at Nats Park, and addressed Catholic college presidents at Catholic University.
During his visit to Washington, Benedict addressed the sexual abuse of minors scandal that has rocked the U.S. Catholic church in recent decades. He said the abuse of minors by members of the clergy was “evil” and “immoral” but had to be eradicated in a broader attack on the degradation of modern-day sexuality.
Pray my brothers and sisters ... I believe our real valley of tears will begin shortly.
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