VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he will resign Feb. 28, the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.
The 85-year-old pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals Monday morning.
"With full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is," he said.
Declaring his resignation, the Pope said his decision is due to his advanced age and diminishing strength, making it difficult for him to attend to his task.
"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," he said.
The Pope, who heads a flock of 1.18 billion Catholics, also said that someone who has "both strength of mind and body" should govern the Church and deal with "the rapid changes" in the world.
"Strength, 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," he added.
"With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer," the Pope also said.
Saying his decision was carefully deliberated on, Benedict XVI encouraged the faithful to implore God's help in the coming months as the Church prepares to cope with change. -with AP report
Read the full text of the Pope's declaration