Health, age key factors in decision

Pope Benedict shocked the world by saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to cope with his ministry, in an announcement that left his aides “incredulous” and will make him the first pontiff to step down since the Middle Ages.

The German-born Pope, 85, told cardinals in Latin that his strength had deteriorated recently. He will step down on Feb 28 and the Vatican expects a new Pope to be chosen by the end of March.

The Pope’s brother, Georg Ratzinger, said the pontiff had been advised by his doctor not to take any more transatlantic trips and had been considering stepping down for months.