Lightning struck Vatican hours after Pope's resignation announcement

Lightning struck the Vatican after Pope Benedict XVI's surprising resignation.

The bolt hit the dome of St. Peter's Basilica – which is one of the holiest Catholic churches – yesterday just hours after the 85-year-old Pope became the first pontiff to quit in 600 years.

Announcing his decision in Latin, the Pope told his cardinals: "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."

His brother, Georg Ratzinger, revealed his doctors had advised him to get more rest.

He explained: "His age is weighing on him. At this age my brother wants more rest."