Benedict stuns Church with abdication

Pope Benedict XVI stunned the Catholic world on the 11 February 2013 by announcing his intention to step down at the end of the month, citing deteriorating mental and physical health for his decision to become the first pontiff to relinquish the role voluntarily since 1294.

The Vatican said a conclave of cardinals would gather in March 2013 to elect a successor, possibly by Easter which fell in late March 2013.

Huffington Post, 11.02.13: Pope Benedict XVI To Resign February 28, Vatican Says http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/02/11/pope-benedict-xvi-to-resi_n_2660624.html

BBC News: Tag: Pope resigns http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21413986

Deutsche Welle, 12.02.13: The pope leaves behind a church in crisis http://www.dw.de/the-pope-leaves-behind-a-church-in-crisis/a-16592056

EurActiv, 12.02.13: Shocked EU leaders react with respect to Pope’s abdication http://www.euractiv.com/culture/leaders-react-respect-pope-resig-news-517729

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/13/89: Déclaration sur l'annonce du Pape Benoît XVI http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-89_fr.htm

Spiegel Online International, 11.02.13: Diminishing Strength: Weakness and Vatican Intrigues Plagued Pope http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/benedict-xvi-announces-resignation-for-health-reasons-a-882701.html

France24, 12.02.13: Pope Benedict’s resignation spells end of papacy for life http://www.france24.com/en/20130211-pope-resignation-papacy-life-end-catholic-church

Vatican Information Service, 11.02.13: Pope renounces Papal throne http://www.vis.va/vissolr/index.php?vi=all&dl=26c5547c-7ea3-3625-2e10-51191b83d912

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