Pope Benedict resign!!!

First it was a text.  I thought it was a bad joke. The another, and another then a phone call.

I had to stop my dinner and go online and then BOOM!

The news hit hard.

First thing that came to mind.  "What now???"


***


Pope Benedict XVI announced today that he will resign from his duties as Pope on February 28th, 2013.

The full text of the Pope's announcement follows.

A press conference will be held in minutes at the Vatican press office.

Dear Brothers, I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. 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. Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

From the Vatican,
10 February 2013

BENEDICTUS PP XVI

***

I never thought I'd ever witness this one.  It happened several times in the Church's history.  Pope Celestine was one of them who was later canonized a saint.

Pope Benedict visited his relics after the deadly earthquake and left his "omphorion-type" pallium.

Papal resignations are covered by canon law.

This illness is very serious.  Pray for the Holy Father.

Other popes who had serious illness opted to stay in office until their deaths.

Pope Benedict chose not to.

May the Lord bless and heal him.