Pope Benedict in Shock Resignation...
Daily Mail UNITED KINGDOM
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, emphasising 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 on 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.' Benedict, who was known as 'God's rottweiler' before becoming Pope because of his stern stand on theological issues, said he was making the decision in 'full freedom' but was 'fully aware of the gravity of this gesture'. A cardinal who was at the meeting said: ‘We listened with a sense of incredulity as His Holiness told us of his decision to step down from the church that he so loves.’ A Vatican spokesman said he will officially retire at 8pm Rome time (7pm GMT) on February 28. Benedict will then retire to the Pope's summer residence near Rome before returning to the Vatican to spend the rest of his life in cloistered accommodation. As he begins his retirement, cardinals in Rome will begin the process of choosing a successor. Although the Pope's announcement this morning came as a huge shock to his colleagues, there have been rumours about his health over the last few years. The Pope, who has appeared increasingly frail and walking with a cane, is understood to be suffering from a degenerative joint disease. In November 2011, Andrea Tornielli – a well-placed reporter from the Vatican Insider, a project run by La Stampa newspaper in Italy – said Pope Benedict found it agonising to walk even short distances due to 'arthrosis', thought to be an Italian term for osteoarthritis, in his knees, hips and ankles. Mr Tornielli said this was why the Pope began using a moving platform to address crowds during mass in St Peter’s Basilica. The Vatican revealed that he had suffered a mild stroke shortly after being elected Pope and there were unconfirmed reports that he had suffered an earlier one in the early 1990s when he was a Cardinal. There have also been reports that the Pope was struggling to read texts. Benedict has previously stated that Popes who are unable to do their job because of ill health should step down. Benedict's deterioration during the last few months has been particularly noticeable and, according to his brother, he has been considering stepping down for some time. Georg Ratzinger, who still lives in the family's native Germany, said he had been having trouble walking and his age was weighing on him. 'At this age my brother wants more rest,' he said adding that the doctor had warned him not to take any more transatlantic trips. Despite Benedict being open with his family, he appears to have said little to cardinals and staff at the Vatican about his ailing health.
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