Pope Benedict XVI to abdicate on Feb 28 due to weakening health

Pope Benedict XVI has proclaimed his decision to resign from office on February 28, with the 85-year-old pontiff voicing that he had decided to quit as he no longer had the capacity to fulfill the responsibilities of his office. As per Pope Benedict XVI, he had resolved to resign as he had noticed his health weakening in recent months. Pope Benedict’s resignation announcement has dismayed and surprised the adherents of the Catholic Church. The German government has responded by voicing that it is moved and touched by Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation proclamation.

Pope Benedict has declared that he is conscious of the gravity of his announcement. With full freedom, he has proclaimed his decision to renounce the ministry of the Bishop of Rome, successor of Saint Peter. The Vatican statement, regarding Pope Benedict’s resignation, also revealed that the Pope would step down at 7pm GMT on February 28. Thereafter, the supreme papal office will be vacant until a successor is elected. A Vatican official has expressed that he expects the period between the Pope’s resignation and the choosing of a successor to be brief.

Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation decision makes him the first Pope since the 15th century to abdicate the position. The Pope had recently registered himself on Twitter and attracted 250000 followers within hours.

Regarding Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation declaration, the German governmental spokesman, Steffen Seibert, has expressed that the German regime has the highest respect for the Holy Father and for his contributions to the Catholic Church. The spokesman lauded the Pope’s nearly 8-year tenure by expressing that he has left a personal signature as a thinker at the zenith of the Catholic Church. He has also shepherded the Catholic Church, voiced the spokesman.

Meanwhile, former Conservative British MP and former Shadow Home Secretary, Ann Widdecombe, has reacted to the Pope’s resignation by calling him a very decisive personality, who has presented the Catholic Church with steadiness and authority, which led to him being trusted by the others in the Vatican hierarchy.

Pope Benedict XVI has journeyed to numerous nations in the world during his papal tenure such as UK in 2012, Israel in 2009, and Lebanon in 2012 among others.

Tags: Vatican