He said that his strengths “due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Pope Benedict XVI announced that he will step down on February 28 at 20:00 hours through a statement posted on the website of the Vatican Radio, adding that 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.”
He said that his 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,” he said.
He added that his strength, in the last few months, has deteriorated to the extent that “I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”
The Pope said that strength is needed both in mind and body, as today’s world is subject to “so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith.”
The Pope asked for pardon for all his defects as he thanked those who supported his ministry.
His resignation is said to be the first in centuries. He was elected in 19 April 2005. (Marilou Aguirre-Tuburan/davaotoday.com)
