Here is the offical Vatican translation Pope Benedicts statement on his resignation.
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 fulfil 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
Dats a decision from a man of wisdom. I wish all our weak leaders could take such a bold step. Our beloved pope, my Gods mercy be wit u. We d catholics wil continue to support u in prayers. We love u.
ReplyDeleteHOW I WISH OUR SO CALLED LEADERS, INCLUDING THE SHOELESS & CLUELESS ONE, WILL HAVE THE INTEGRITY AND STRENGHT OF CHARACTER TO RECOGNIZE THEIR INDIVIDUAL FAILINGS/INCAPACITIES AND HONOURABLY THROW IN THE TOWEL........MAY GOD BLESS THE POPE!
ReplyDeleteDaday, if u r nt under presure, may his grace be wt u n help d mother church to select the fit to d service of d ministry, amen. God bless my pontiff...
ReplyDeleteToo surprise to hear this, our Lordship,are u telling us that God has given you a Load that is too heavy to carry? Service to the vineyard of God endures many trails. Why giving way to weakness? Amaka
ReplyDeleteThe Supreme Pontiff is man after all. He has shown an uncommon strength of character and consummate wisdom.
ReplyDeleteAll mortals should know when it is time to leave the stage - when the ovation is loudest. May God bless the Pope and long live the one holy and apostolic church.
It is rare show of character and convinction. May d Church of God to grow in strength and love. God bless Pope Bebedict and us d faithfuls!
ReplyDeleteI still can't belive this cos God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love Power and Sound mind...theres certainly more to this than meets the eye and one funny thing about catholic church is that all papal secrets can NEVER be known no matter how long it takes...but God is watching
ReplyDeleteCheta vangarde,jst b careful with ur words & stop being centimental.
ReplyDeletehey! hey!! hey!!! no need for xchnge of words here. everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. if d Pope has thrown in d towel, den just pray for him. tnx
ReplyDeleteWho are we to question the Holy Father's decision? Whoever is doing that should be very careful before God's vengeance descends. Rather let us all pray that God keep strengthening him.
ReplyDeleteWell, to me, men are more equal than 'others'. Some acclaim power just to fulfill their career while others come to lead. Maybe, the Pontiff's act is another way to preach the GOOD NEWS to our rulers; that's exemplary a strength of character and integrity. I doff for the M.O.G.
ReplyDelete-Ogor, J.P.