Pope Benedict to resign on Feb. 28
Written by WiG
Feb 11, 2013http://www.wisconsingazette.com/breaking-news/pope-benedict-to-resign.html
Pope Benedict XVI will resign on February 28, his spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told CNN on Monday (Feb. 11).
In a statement, the 85-year-old pope said he had noticed his strength deteriorating and "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."
Benedict is the 265th pope and the sixth German to serve as pope – he was 78 when he was elected pope in 2005. He has led the church after the third-longest papacy in church history and during a time in which the church is declining in his native Europe but expanding in Africa and Latin America.
As leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Benedict has been the leader of the institution's crusade against LGBT equality, specifically in terms of opposing recognition and civil support for same-sex couples and their families.
Most recently, in a New Year's speech, the pope called gay marriage a threat to world peace.
A year ago, in another statement, the pope, whose election was opposed by liberals in the church, said gay marriage threatened the "future of humanity itself."
Pope Benedict XVI's resignation explained
By Susannah Cullinane, CNN
updated 10:45 AM EST, Mon February 11, 2013http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/11/world/europe/pope-resignation-q-and-a/index.htmlIs it normal for popes to resign?It is the first time a pope has resigned in nearly 600 years.
The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415. He stepped down to end the "Great Western Schism" -- during which there were rival claims to the papal throne.
According to the National Catholic Weekly, modern popes have felt that resignation is unacceptable and could encourage factions within the church to pressure pontiffs to step down.
Canon law states that a resignation must be made freely and properly manifested and that the pope resigning must be of sound mind.
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Link to full text of the resignation letter:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/11/text-of-pope-announcement_n_2660811.html
