Pope Benedict XVI resigns in shock move, first since 1415

Benedict: I have had to recognise my incapacity Vatican City – Arabstoday Pope Benedict XVI will resign from his post as head of the Roman Catholic Church because he lacks the strength to govern due to his age, he said in a shock statement on Monday. "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 recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me," the 85-year old announced.
"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," he declared.
The announcement was reportedly made in Latin.
News agencies had already reported on Monday that the pontificate planned on resigning, based on a statement from the Vatican.
"The pope announced that he will leave his ministry at 2000 hrs [1900 hrs GMT] on February 28," said Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi.
Pope Benedict has been in office since April 19 2005. Since then, the German native, born Joseph Ratzinger, has been subject to much international criticism for his conservative stance on Church issues, including that of allowing women to enter the priesthood and human sexuality.
The last pope to relinquish the papacy was Pope Gregory XII in 1415.

Source: AFP, DW