Pope Benedict XVI Resigns

Pope Benedict XVI says he will resign on February 28 making him the first Pope to step down in almost 700 years. The 85-year-old Pope said his health is the reason. The last Pop to quit in office was Pope Gregory XII, who stepped down involuntarily in 1415 to end a schism (division between people) in the church. The last time a pope stepped down voluntarily was in 1294, when Celestine V quit after 5 months because he was overwhelmed by the demands of the post. A new leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics could be elected as soon as Palm Sunday, on March 24, and be ready to take over by Easter a week later. Pope Benedict states, "...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." Sr. Mary Theresa of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist responds; “Pope John Paul II remained in office so that he might show us how to suffer and how to die. Pope Benedict XVI is leaving the Papal Office so that he might show us how to live in humble honesty.” --