NOTE: For ongoing coverage of the papal transition, visit osv.com.
After almost eight years of leading the Church, 85-year-old Pope Benedict XVI announced his intention this morning to resign from the papacy on Feb. 28. He cited his deteriorating health as the primary reason. Pope Benedict is the fifth pope in the history of the papacy to resign and the first in nearly 600 years.
From Pope Benedict:
After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, 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. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, 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 recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill 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, 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.Read his entire statement.
A conclave to elect a new pope will take place in March.
You can also read this story from Catholic News Service, details from the press briefing as well as a papal timeline.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan responded to the announcement on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops with the following statement:
The Holy Father brought the tender heart of a pastor, the incisive mind of a scholar and the confidence of a soul united with His God in all he did. His resignation is but another sign of his great care for the Church. We are sad that he will be resigning but grateful for his eight years of selfless leadership as successor of St. Peter.
Though 78 when he was elected pope in 2005, he set out to meet his people – and they were of all faiths – all over the world. He visited the religiously threatened – Jews, Muslims and Christians in the war-torn Middle East, the desperately poor in Africa, and the world’s youth gathered to meet him in Australia, Germany and Spain.
He delighted our beloved United States of America when he visited Washington and New York in 2008. As a favored statesman he greeted notables at the White House. As a spiritual leader he led the Catholic community in prayer at Nationals Park, Yankee Stadium and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. As a pastor feeling pain in a stirring, private meeting at the Vatican nunciature in Washington, he brought a listening heart to victims of sexual abuse by clerics.
Pope Benedict often cited the significance of eternal truths and he warned of a dictatorship of relativism. Some values, such as human life, stand out above all others, he taught again and again. It is a message for eternity.
He unified Catholics and reached out to schismatic groups in hopes of drawing them back to the church. More unites us than divides us, he said by word and deed. That message is for eternity.
He spoke for the world’s poor when he visited them and wrote of equality among nations in his peace messages and encyclicals. He pleaded for a more equitable share of world resources and for a respect for God’s creation in nature.
Those who met him, heard him speak and read his clear, profound writings found themselves moved and changed. In all he said and did he urged people everywhere to know and have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
The occasion of his resignation stands as an important moment in our lives as citizens of the world. Our experience impels us to thank God for the gift of Pope Benedict. Our hope impels us to pray that the College of Cardinals under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit choose a worthy successor to meet the challenges present in today’s world.
UPDATED: Additional news and commentary:
- OSV president and publisher Greg Erlandson interviewed about resignation
- Director of Holy See Press Office Fr. Lombardi discusses Canon Law and more
- Vatican spokesperson interviewed about Pope Benedict's decision
- Cardinal Dolan reacts to resignation in interview
- Catholic Relief Services president Carolyn Woo comments on resignation
- American's United for Life commend Pope Benedict's contribution to the culture of life
- Pontifical Mission Societies national director Fr. Andrew Small reflects on the love of the pope
- Dr. Donald Prudlo, associate professor of history at Jacksonville State University, discusses papal resignation throughout history
- Past OSV article looks at potential candidates for the papacy
- ZENIT article highlights who will vote in the conclave
UPDATED 2/12/13
- World religious leaders react
- Franciscan University president and theology professors commend humility, work of Pope Benedict
- American bishops express gratitude to Pope Benedict
- Political reactions from President Obama and others
- Pope Benedict's last Mass on Ash Wednesday
- His resignation was predictable: We should have seen it coming, says CNS
- Fr. Dwight Longenecker explores what happens when there are two living popes
- A look at the new pope and being pro-life
- Young people pray, thank Pope Benedict for example
- Did Pope Benedict go "beyond the call of duty?"
- Pope Benedict will live in Vatican monastery founded by Blessed John Paul II
UPDATED 2/13/13
- Pope Benedict's decision occurred after Cuba trip
- Lombardi discusses Pope Benedict's role in next papacy
- Pope Benedict will greet the cardinals on Feb. 28
- Vatican details Pope Benedict's schedule for final days
- Watch Pope Benedict's first public appearance since announcement
- Russell Shaw profiles Pope Benedict
- Matthew Bunson discusses the precedent set by Pope Benedict's historic decision
- OSV editorial board reflects on the pope we grew to love
- Pope Benedict seen as the last of a "heroic generation"
- Pamphlet details how the Church chooses a pope
- Fr. Dwight Longenecker argues the case for an African pontiff
For even more coverage of the papal transition, visit osv.com.
