Theology IV

[Coffeehouse]

In what can only be described as a shocking move, Pope Benedict XVI has elected to resign on February 28 2013.

The last occurence of papal resignation occurred in 1415, nearly 600 years ago. At this time Pope Gregory XII resigned as there were three claimants to the Papal throne (The Western Schism); (Anti)pope Benedict XIII in Avignon and (Anti)pope John XXIII in Pisan. The two Antipopes also resigned, and a new Pope was elected.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21411304
From BBC News:
"At 78, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was one of the oldest new popes in history when elected.

The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says the news has come "out of the blue", and that there was no speculation whatsoever about the move in recent days.

A Vatican spokesman indicated that even the Pope's closest aides did not know what he was planning to do."


http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe...348481339.html
From al-Jazeera:
"The pope announced that he will leave his ministry at 8:00 pm (19:00 GMT) on February 28," said a Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, on Monday.

Benedict, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, is the 265th Pope, and began his papacy on April 19, 2005.

The Pope had announced his decision in Latin during a canonisation ceremony on Monday morning, reported Al Jazeera's Sabina Castelfranco from Bologna. She said the move to resign was "something that we have not seen in modern times".

Benedict, 85, said that he no longer had the strength to fulfill his duties, due to his advanced age, the Reuters news agency reported.

"For this reason, 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," he said according to a statement from the Vatican."