Emeritus pope? Come 28 February, Benedict XVI no more

I don’t know what to say… Pope Benedict XVI today announced his retirement…

“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.”

Considering my speechlessness at this moment, I can only express my gratitude and affection for our Holy Father. Thank you.

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3 thoughts on “Emeritus pope? Come 28 February, Benedict XVI no more”

  1. Thank you Holy Father for your lifelong service to Holy Church. Thank you above all things for the return of the True Eternal Mass! And thank you for trying to bring back beauty and reverence. May God richly bless you and keep you under the shelter of His wings.

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