GOD BLESS OUR POPE
In the consistory for canonizations today, Pope Benedict XVI announced he will resign on Feb. 28.
Text of the address:
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 fulfill 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.
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