LONDON —
Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XVI has resigned, effective at the end of the month. It is the first time a pope resigned in nearly 600 years.
Pope Benedict surprised a high-level church meeting at the Vatican with his announcement. According to a text published later, he told the gathering he believes that "in today's world" a pope must be strong enough to speak and engage in activities, and that his own health "has deteriorated" in recent months.
The pope, who is 85 years old, said he has "had to recognize" his "incapacity to adequately fulfill" his ministry. He said his "strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited" to the demands of the job. He said prayer and suffering are also part of a pope's duties, but those things alone are not sufficient.
Pope Benedict
1/12Pope Benedict greets the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, April 19, 2005.
Pope Benedict resigns from the papacy on February 28. He has said his goal after stepping down is to live quietly in prayer and meditation.
2/12Pope Benedict blesses a baby as he rides around St. Peter's Square to hold his last general audience at the Vatican Feb. 27, 2013.
Pope Benedict resigns from the papacy on February 28. He has said his goal after stepping down is to live quietly in prayer and meditation.
3/12Pope Benedict appears on a giant screen in a packed St. Peter's Square at the Vatican during his last general audience, February 27, 2013.
Pope Benedict resigns from the papacy on February 28. He has said his goal after stepping down is to live quietly in prayer and meditation.
4/12Pope Benedict arrives to attend a meeting with seminarians at the Romano Maggiore seminary in Rome, February 8, 2013.
Pope Benedict resigns from the papacy on February 28. He has said his goal after stepping down is to live quietly in prayer and meditation.
5/12Pope Benedict waves as he arrives to lead the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 18, 2012.
Pope Benedict resigns from the papacy on February 28. He has said his goal after stepping down is to live quietly in prayer and meditation.
6/12Pope Benedict wears a sombrero, a traditional Mexican hat, while being driven through the crowd before officiating a mass in Silao, Mexico, March 25, 2012.
Pope Benedict resigns from the papacy on February 28. He has said his goal after stepping down is to live quietly in prayer and meditation.
7/12Pope Benedict holds his cross as he leads a solemn mass in Zagreb, Croatia, June 5, 2011.
Pope Benedict resigns from the papacy on February 28. He has said his goal after stepping down is to live quietly in prayer and meditation.
8/12Pope Benedict visits the Ardeatine Caves Memorial in Rome, Italy, March 27, 2011.
Pope Benedict resigns from the papacy on February 28. He has said his goal after stepping down is to live quietly in prayer and meditation.
9/12Pope Benedict leaves after an audience with Vatican-accredited diplomats at the Vatican, January 10, 2011.
Pope Benedict resigns from the papacy on February 28. He has said his goal after stepping down is to live quietly in prayer and meditation.
10/12Pope Benedict visits the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City, May 12, 2009.
Pope Benedict resigns from the papacy on February 28. He has said his goal after stepping down is to live quietly in prayer and meditation.
11/12Pope Benedict waves to the crowd gathered in Saint Peter's square during his weekly Angelus blessing at the Vatican, May 16, 2010.
Pope Benedict resigns from the papacy on February 28. He has said his goal after stepping down is to live quietly in prayer and meditation.
12/12U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama meet with Pope Benedict at the Vatican, July 10, 2009.
Pope Benedict resigns from the papacy on February 28. He has said his goal after stepping down is to live quietly in prayer and meditation.
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Benedict's predecessor, Pope John-Paul II, died at age 85 in 2005, after several years during which his physical frailty limited his activities.
Pope Benedict Bio
Pope Benedict Bio
Became one of the oldest new popes when elected in 2005 at age of 78
Headed Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith before becoming pope
Named Cardinal of Munich in 1977
Taught at several universities from 1959 to 1966
Joined the Hitler Youth in 1941 when it became compulsory for all German boys
Born Joseph Ratzinger in 1927 in Bavaria's Marktl am Inn, son of a police officer
The current pope apparently wanted to avoid that, and also to send a message to his successors about the demands of the modern papacy, which involves global travel and almost daily meetings with officials and pilgrims from around the world.
Pope Benedict made his most recent public appearance Sunday, addressing a crowd in St. Peter’s Square on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.
He spoke of what he called “the universal values” of “peace, harmony and gratitude to Heaven,” which he said are “desired by everyone to build their family, society and ... nation.”
The pope wished those celebrating “a happy and prosperous life.”
World Catholic population, 2012.
Pope Benedict was born Joseph Ratzinger in 1927 in the town of Passau, Germany. He became a cardinal and Archbishop of Munich in 1977. Known for his conservative theological views, he became an advisor to Pope John Paul II five years later, and was elected pope after John Paul's death in 2005.
The Vatican says the pope's surprise resignation will trigger a series of events culminating next month in a conclave of the world's Roman Catholic cardinals. A spokesman said officials expect to have a new pope elected by Easter, which this year is on March 31.
