Health, age key factors in decision
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.
Georg Ratzinger said his brother was having increasing difficulty walking and his resignation was part of a “natural process”.
“His age is weighing on him,” the 89-year-old said of his brother. “At this age my brother wants more rest.”
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Pope had not decided to resign because of “difficulties in the papacy” and the move had been a surprise, indicating that even his inner circle was unaware that he was about to quit.
The Pope does not fear schism in the Church after his resignation, the spokesman said.
The Pope’s leadership of 1.2bn Catholics has been beset by child sexual abuse crises that tarnished the Church, one address in which he upset Muslims and a scandal over the leaking of his private papers by his personal butler.
The Pope told the cardinals that in order to govern “both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.
“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.”
Lombardi ruled out depression or uncertainty as being behind the resignation, saying the move was not due to any specific illness, just advancing age.
The Pope had shown “great courage, determination” aware of the “great problems the church faces today”, he said, adding that the timing may have reflected the Pope’s desire to avoid the exhausting rush of Easter engagements.
There was no outside pressure and Benedict took his “personal decision” in the last few months, he added.
The pontiff will step down from 2pm on Feb 28, leaving the office vacant until a successor is chosen to Benedict, who succeeded John Paul, one of history’s most popular pontiffs, the spokesman said.
