Pope Benedict XVI leaves the Pontificate on February 28: The speech in which he announced his resignation

Italy, February 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI announced personally that he’ll leave on February 28, statement made during the canonization of the martyrs of Otranto.

The news was confirmed by the Vatican. The Cardinal of the College of Cardinals, Angelo Sodano said: “The news was like a bolt from the blue”.

Benedict XVI explained that “the decision has been very thoughtful and it has taken for the good of the Church.”

Joseph Ratzinger was born on April 16, 1927 and was elected Pope by the conclave on April 19, 2005, after the death of John Paul II.

M24Digital brings you the Pope’s statement in which he announces his resignation:

“My dear brothers,

I have come to this Consistory, not only for the three causes of canonization, but also to communicate a decision of great importance for the life of the Catholic Church.

After examining my conscience in front of God repeatedly, I have the certainty that I have no strength to adequately perform the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, spiritual in nature, must be carried out not only in words and deeds, but also with our body.

However, in today’s world, subject to rapid change and rocked by high profile topics in the life of faith, to govern the ship of San Pedro and proclaim the Gospel, it is also necessary vigor of both body and spirit, force that, in recent months, has fallen on me so that I have to admit my inability to exercise the good ministry that was entrusted to me.

Therefore, being well aware of the seriousness of my act, in full freedom, I declare that I give up to the ministry of the Bishop of Rome, Successor of St. Peter, I was entrusted by the Cardinals on April 19, 2005, so that since the February 28, 2013, at 8 pm, the see of Rome, the seat of San Pedro, become vacant and shall be called, by whom is competent, the conclave to elect a new pope.

Dear brothers, I thank you from my heart for all the love and work that you have carried with me the weight of my ministry, and I apologize for all my shortcomings.

As far as I’m concerned, in the future, I would like to wholeheartedly serve the Holy Church of God with a life dedicated to prayer.

Vatican, Feb. 10, 2013. “