Pope Benedict XVI will resign on Feb. 28, citing his deteriorating strength, making him the first pontiff to step down in almost 600 years.
In a statement on Vatican Radio's website Monday, the 85-year-old Pope said his health is the reason for the surprise announcement.
"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," the Pope said.
Benedict said his strength, over 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."
The head of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, Benedict said he was "well aware of the seriousness of this act."
The Pope's older brother, Georg Ratzinger, said Benedict had been advised by his doctors not to make any more transatlantic trips, the German dpa news agency reported. He also said his brother was having increasing difficulty walking.
"At this age, my brother wants more rest," Ratzinger, 89, told dpa.
The last pontiff to quit in office was Pope Gregory XII in 1415.
Benedict announced his decision in Latin during a meeting with cardinals Monday morning.
There will be no pontiff until a successor is chosen, the Vatican said. That selection process is expected to take place in mid-March.
The three Canadian cardinals who will be part of the conclave to pick a new pontiff are:
- Cardinal Marc Ouellet, head of the Vatican's office for bishops.
- Cardinal Thomas Collins, archbishop of Toronto.
- Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, retired archbishop of Montreal.
Any cardinal under age 80 can vote in the selection of a new pontiff.
Ouellet, former archbishop of Quebec, is already being mentioned in media reports on the long list of possible successors to Benedict.
Formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Benedict, who was born in Germany, was chosen Pope by cardinals on April 19, 2005, following the very popular Pope John Paul II.
At the time of his selection as Pope, Benedict was 78 years old, making him the oldest pontiff elected in roughly three centuries.
Pope Benedict XVI will become the first pontiff to resign in almost 600 years when he steps down on Feb. 28. (Isabella Bonotto/Associated Press) Reaction to the shocking announcement quickly poured in from around the world.
Neil MacCarthy, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Toronto, said he was surprised but understands Benedict's unexpected resignation. He called the decision responsible, given the Pope's age.
MacCarthy said he doesn't believe declining church membership or sex abuse scandals led to the resignation.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, spiritual head of the Anglican Communion, praised Benedict's courage.
"It was with a heavy heart but complete understanding that we learned this morning of Pope Benedict's declaration of his decision to lay down the burden of ministry as Bishop of Rome, an office which he has held with great dignity, insight and courage," Welby said.
Israel's Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger praised Benedict's efforts at outreach between religions.
"During his period [as Pope] there were the best relations ever between the church and the chief rabbinate and we hope that this trend will continue," Metzger said via a spokesperson, Reuters reported.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Benedict "reached out his hand to Jews as well as Muslims."
"Benedict XVI is and will remain one of the most important religious thinkers of our time," she added.
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