Pope Benedict XVI Resigns – Live Reaction

By Paul Owen
The Guardian UNITED KINGDOM
February 11, 2013

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/11/pope-resigns-live-reaction

[with video]

Pope's resignation - eyewitness account

John Hooper has been speaking to Mexican prelate Monsignor Oscar Sanchez, who witnessed the pope's resignation.

Standing in the colonnade that encircles St Peter’s square, his vestments draped over one arm, Monsignor Oscar Sanchez Barba from Guadalajara in Mexico told Hooper he had come to Rome to be told the date for the canonisation of the Blessed Lupita Garcia, a nun. Sanchez said:

We were all in the Sala del Concistorio in the third loggia of the Apostolic palace. After giving the date for the canonisation, the 12th of May, the pope took a sheet of paper and read from it.

He just said that he was resigning and that he would be finishing on February 28.

We were all left … [he tailed off, lost for words]

The cardinals were just looking at one another. Then the pope got to his feet, gave his benediction and left. It was so simple; the simplest thing imaginable. Extraordinary. Nobody expected it.

Then we all left in silence. There was absolute silence … and sadness.

Here's more from the press conference being given by Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi.

Lombardi has said the pope took his decision "aware of the great problems the church faces today". His decision showed "great courage" and "determination", Lombardi said.

It was Benedict's own personal decision made without any outside pressure.