After almost 8 years in the Vatican, Pope Benedict will retire on February 28th. A Vatican statement said the pope was unable to continue in office due to his age and diminishing strength, he is 85, and the papacy will remain vacant until a successor is elected.
Less than 24 hours before the news of his resignation broke, the Pope tweeted:
“We must trust in the mighty power of God’s mercy. We are all sinners, but His grace transforms us and makes us new.”
Below are Pope Benedict’s reasons for stepping down:
“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…
“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 recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.”
De pop’s resignation is also a message 2 de faithless prists who ‘cos of lust of what is under de skirt!! betray God!dat if dey can’t live de Christ like life!dey can also resign!!instead of staining dea white spotless garment!n betraying dea covenant wit God!!