Making history, Pope resigns, first in 600 years
The world awoke Monday morning, February 11, to the historic announcement that Pope Benedict XVI would be resigning on February 28, a surprise to many Catholics.
In a statement, the pope said, ”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.”
“I was so sad, my heart broke,” said Marion Goddard of the news. The Bay Ridge Catholic believes this event, the resignation of a pope, which hasn’t taken place since 1415, is “truly unprecedented.