Vatican: Pope's Resignation Jolts Italian Political Scene

Adnkronos
February 11, 2013

http://www.adnkronos.com/IGN/Aki/English/Religion/Vatican-Popes-resignation-jolts-Italian-political-scene_314171029829.html


Rome, 11 Feb. (AKI) - Italian politicians on Monday voiced shock at Pope Benedict XVI's announcement at the end of February.

"I am extremely shaken by this," commented Italy's outgoing technocrat prime minister Mario Monti, who declined to comment on whether it would change relations between the Vatican and the Italian state.

Pier Luigi Bersani, leader of Italy's centre-left Democrat party, which is tipped to win national elections later this month, said Benedict's move may set a new precedent for future pontiffs, who traditionally die in the job.

"This is news of historic importance, that has only happened twice down the centuries," Bersani commented.

"It seems to me that the Pope's rare gesture may set a new precedent for the future," Bersani added.

The reasons behind 85-year-old Benedict's surpise departure were not immediately clear.

He delivered the news in Latin during a mass on Monday attended by Vatican cardinals in which he said: "I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me. "

Before Benedict, the last pontiff to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415.