Pope Benedict announces resignation, citing declining health.
Pope Benedict XVI has announced his resignation!
Statement by Benedict XVI – Monday, February 10, 2013 (← click to watch and listen to Benedict XVI)
On February 28, the period of *sede vacante* will begin (Latin for “vacant seat”), marking the vacancy of the Apostolic See. During this time, the governance of the Church will be overseen by the College of Cardinals, led by its Dean.
Since April 2005, that position has been held by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who succeeded Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
Statement by Benedict XVI announcing his resignation, source: Vatican Radio
"Dearest Brothers, I have summoned you to this Consistory not only for the three canonizations, but also to inform you of a decision of great significance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that due to my advanced age my strength is no longer sufficient to adequately fulfill the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its 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 rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque 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 fully 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 April 19, 2005, so that from February 28, 2013, at 8:00 p.m., the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will need to be convoked by those whose competence it is. Dearest 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 my shortcomings. Let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore His Holy Mother Mary to assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal kindness in electing a new Pope. As for myself, I also wish to devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer. In the Vatican, February 10, 2013.” (published in *Tygodnik Powszechny*)
http://youtu.be/TzAC5tGJ_Nk (click →) Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation statement