Pope Benedict XVI resigns and must leave office by the 28th

A news came as a surprise to believers from around the world on the morning of Monday (11/02): Pope Benedict XVI has announced his resignation and said he should step down on the 28th, the last day of this month. He is the fourth pope to leave office and the first in the last 600 years.

Yesterday afternoon (10/02), the Pope posted his last statement on Twitter: "We must have confidence in the strength of God's mercy. Although we are all sinners, His grace transforms and renews us."

In a statement, the religious said that, due to his age, his strength is no longer adequate for the tasks required for the post. The pontiff also said that he made the decision for the good of the Church. The Vatican declined to comment on the case so far, but according to Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, the decision took everyone by surprise, including people close to the Pope.

He also said that a conclave (meeting of cardinals to choose a new Pope) should take place between 15 and 20 days after the resignation. "We have to have a new Pope at Easter, " Lombardi said. According to the spokesman, after the resignation, Benedict should spend a few days at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, a community near Rome, and will then live in a monastery within the Vatican itself.

Although the Pope stated that the motivation for the resignation was at his age, Lombardi assured that the pontiff would not have any serious illness, nor even be in a state of depression. In addition, Lombardi said Benedict XVI showed "great courage" in his gesture.