Pope Benedict XVI made a startling announcement Monday, saying he would resign at the end of February – becoming the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years.
The 85-year-old pontiff said he no longer had the strength to carry out his papal duties.
“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 according to a statement released by the Vatican.